The Starbucks on Clematis Street is closing, as part of the coffee company closing about 250 locations across North America. It's last day open is Saturday, Sept. 26, until 9 p.m.
Starbucks did not provide a list of the closing locations but an employee at the 226 Clematis St. location confirmed via phone that Saturday would be its last day. The building at 226 Clematis also houses Rocco's Tacos & Tequila Bar and Waxin's Restaurang & Bar, which serves a mix of Swedish and American-style dishes.
With the Clematis Street Starbucks location closing, the next closest is the one at South Rosemary Avenue and Hibiscus Street at CityPlace and the one on Palm Beach, at Worth Avenue and Ocean Boulevard. Palm Beach County would still have about 44 Starbucks locations,
making it one of the most heavily served counties in Florida.
In a public letter, Starbucks Chief Operating Officer Mike Grams said the coffee chain closes locations each year, and this week's closures represent about 1% of Starbucks' more than 18,000 North America coffeeshops.
In 2024, Brian Niccol, at the time the company's new CEO, introduced the Back to Starbucks strategy with the aim to introduce customer-favorite amenities, including free refills on drinks enjoyed in coffeeshops, the return of the condiment bar, an improved code of conduct and a simplified menu.
In his letter, Grams said that while most locations are thriving as they integrate the Back to Starbucks strategy, some are underperforming, "despite the hard work and commitment of all of you."
"We’re making this decision for a simple reason: We want every Starbucks coffeehouse to be a place customers love and partners are proud to work," Grams wrote in his letter.
Here's what we know so far.
Starbucks Workers Union speaks on closures
Starbucks Workers United, the labor union that represents Starbucks employees, told USA TODAY via email that 20 unionized coffeeshops will be impacted by the closures.
"Workers United is sending a formal request for information to Starbucks about the planned closures. We expect to engage in effects bargaining for every impacted union store, as we have done elsewhere, so workers can be placed in another Starbucks store according to their preferences," the union told USA TODAY. "It has never been more clear why baristas need the backing of a union. We love our jobs, and we know Starbucks doesn’t run without us, so we’re organizing together to demand a better future and a fair contract."
When are the Starbucks locations closing?
Starbucks did not provide a specific closure date for the locations. The stores will close "later this week," Grams' letter says.
What will happen to the employees at the closing locations?
In his letter, Grams said employees will be offered transfer opportunities to other locations. For those who are unable to transfer, severance support will be provided. The chain did not provide details on the severance package.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Starbucks on Clematis closing among about 250 across North America
