Wave of Starbucks closures set to include at least 6 WA stores

After Starbucks announced plans Thursday to shutter 250 underperforming coffeehouses, its store locator shows at least six Washington shops slated for closure this weekend.

Starbucks declined to share which locations are closing in Washington. Instead, the list was compiled by referencing the company’s store locator for indefinite closures. Starbucks declined to confirm this information.

Employees at the stores confirmed the closures Friday, with several expressing surprise at the news.

“Coffeehouses that are closing will have signage up this weekend to notify customers,” a Starbucks spokesperson said in a statement Friday.

The wave of closures comes as CEO Brian Niccol pushes ahead with the “Back to Starbucks” plan. It focuses on reviving the company’s traditional coffeehouse experience with upgraded stores, more staffing, smoother operations and reduced consumer wait times.

None of the Washington closures are listed as unionized coffeehouses on the website of Starbucks Workers United, which represents thousands of baristas.

A closure at 1700 Seventh Ave. in downtown Seattle came to light earlier in the week. That store is scheduled to remain open until 7 p.m. Sunday. The other shops closing this weekend will have their final store hours on Saturday, according to the store locator.

Another coffeehouse shuttered at the Docusign Tower on Third Avenue over the summer. A slew of layoffs and store closures, including in Seattle, have taken place over the past year.

This weekend’s closures include:

• Seattle: 999 N.W. Leary Way
• Seattle: 9150 Rainier Ave. S.
• Seattle: 1700 Seventh Ave.
• Redmond: 7625 170th Ave. N.E.
• Spokane: 2401 W. Wellesley Ave.
• Vancouver: 918 S.E. 164th Ave.

This story may be updated.