The Starbucks location in the heart of the Junction is set to close on August 1. According to Starbucks spokes person Sam Jeffries:

"As part of Starbucks standard course of business, we continually evaluate our business to ensure a healthy store portfolio. After careful consideration, we’ve determined it is best to close the store at 4233 SW Alaska Street. Our last day at this location will be August 1.  All Starbucks partners (employees) working at that store will have the opportunity to transfer to one of our nearby locations. We look forward to serving our customers at our other locations in our hometown of Seattle."

This closure will be the third closure of Starbucks outlets locally with the Roxbury Safeway, Junction Safeway both closing recently. The junction location opened in 2015.

The wave of Starbucks closures in 2025 stems from a mix of financial, operational, and cultural challenges that have been building over the past few years:

Declining Foot Traffic

• Starbucks reported a drop in customer visits, especially in urban areas, citing lingering post-pandemic behavior shifts and inflation-driven cutbacks.

• CFO Rachel Ruggeri noted that despite increased investments, they couldn’t reverse the downward trend in traffic, which hurt both revenue and profit margins.

Labor Relations & Strikes

• Worker unrest has played a major role. In late 2024, the Starbucks Workers United union organized a five-day strike, with participation from employees in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

• These actions highlighted demands for better working conditions and contributed to operational disruptions.

Policy Changes

• Starbucks reversed its open-door policy, now requiring purchases to use restrooms or seating areas. This shift may have alienated some customers and reduced casual foot traffic.

• The new Coffeehouse Code of Conduct aims to prioritize paying customers but has sparked debate over inclusivity and brand identity.

🏙️ Store Portfolio Reshuffling

• The company is scaling back expansion and closing underperforming stores to “unlock capital” for a broader turnaround strategy.

• Locations in San Francisco, Brooklyn, and Dallas, have already shut down, with more closures planned throughout the year.

Despite these closures, Starbucks remains a dominant brand with over 17,000 U.S. locations. The company is betting on a long-term strategy to redesign stores, improve efficiency, and rebuild customer loyalty.