Starbucks has announced the closure of one of its stores located near Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, citing an increase in crime as the primary reason for the decision.
The store, situated at the corner of 1st and Pike, across from the famous market, will be shut down as part of the coffee chain’s ongoing evaluation of its store portfolio.
A Starbucks spokesperson confirmed the closure to KOMO News on Tuesday, stating that the company regularly assesses its locations to ensure they meet the needs of both the community and customers.
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“As a standard course of business, we regularly evaluate our store portfolio to determine how we can best meet our community and customers’ needs and ensure partners are supported in crafting beverages in a warm and welcoming environment,” the spokesperson said.
The company assured that its other nearby locations, including the original store at 1912 Pike Place and the one at 1st and University, will continue to serve customers.
Adam Hasson, the leasing agent for the building, confirmed that Starbucks had signed an early termination agreement for the location. Deanna Cunningham, a manager at a nearby store, expressed concern about the impact of the closure.
“We just saw the for sale signs that went up, and we were like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s like, actually real,’” Cunningham told KOMO News.
She emphasized the importance of providing a comfortable environment for customers, especially considering that many tourists’ first interaction with Starbucks happens at that location.
“The main focus is to have your customers feel comfortable, and if that isn’t happening, even if they are busy, it’s so many tourists that that’s their first interaction with Starbucks sometimes, and I understand that can deter people,” she said.
The store had temporarily closed at the end of July 2024, according to reports from The Seattle Times.
At the time, Starbucks spokesperson Sam Jefferies stated that the company was evaluating “how best to offer a warm and welcoming environment for customers and partners [employees] at this store.”
Seattle has been grappling with a rise in crime, including an increase in violent crime rates.
Starbucks Bows Out of Pike Place Due to Seattle’s Crime Crisis…
Starbucks has confirmed the permanent closure of one of its popular locations near Pike Place Market in Seattle, citing public safety concerns as the primary reason for the decision.
The store, which is located… pic.twitter.com/dvBUgMyVAU
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The city’s violent crime rate reached its highest level in 15 years in 2022, according to the Seattle Police Department’s Year-End Crime Report.
This uptick in crime followed a reduction in the Seattle Police Department’s 2021 budget by the Seattle City Council. Additionally, the department experienced a loss of 122 officers in 2022, further exacerbating the city’s crime concerns.
Local business owners have shared their struggles with crime, drug use, and homelessness, with some telling the Daily Caller News Foundation in 2023 that theft and criminal behavior have become commonplace.
“They will take anything that isn’t nailed down,” said businessman Peter Morse. “No one wants to be a police officer now.”
The decision to close the Pike Place Starbucks comes after a similar move in 2022, when the company closed five Seattle stores due to safety concerns.
At the time, Starbucks officials cited numerous crime-related complaints, including theft, assault, and drug use, as reasons for the closures.
The Seattle Times reported that the closures were part of a broader initiative to shut down at least 16 locations across the country.
Erin Bray, a former employee at the Union Station Starbucks, recalled her experience working at a location with significant security concerns.
She told The Seattle Times that after multiple assaults occurred, she requested additional security measures, including guards in the lobby, to protect staff and customers.
As Starbucks adjusts to increasing concerns over safety in Seattle, the closure of this Pike Place location underscores the ongoing challenges faced by businesses in the Emerald City.
The decision also highlights the broader issues of crime and public safety that continue to impact local businesses, residents, and visitors alike.
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