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Three Westside Starbucks Receive Closing Notices
(posted July 21)
Three westside Starbucks have been targeted, along with other stores in
the nation, to close due to under performance. The closing of the Speedway
shop not only means a loss of business in the Speedway Shoppes, the ripple
effect will be felt by two other businesses in the strip mall, Chocolate
Gallery and Lenny's Sub Shop.
Daniel Cauldwell, owner of the Chocolate Gallery, said "as a business
owner I am sad to see them close. They are a huge draw to bring people
in that might not have otherwise stopped. They gave us a lot of exposure."
Cauldwell called the Starbucks' staff "great" and said he will
miss them.
Katie Banks, marketing director of Lenny's Sub shop, said one of the major
reasons Lenny's selected its location was because of the Starbucks' name
recognition. She said the closing will have a ripple effect because people
would often stop to get coffee and see the Lenny's name and stop for lunch.
"Starbucks is a destination spot for coffee, and now people will go
elsewhere," she said.
Cauldwell indicated there is not another Starbucks in Speedway and that
the closest one is at 5500 Lafayette Road.
A Starbucks employee said the she has noticed a gradual decline in sales
in the last five years. She blamed it on neighborhood demographics and
a loss of purchasing power. She said she resides in Speedway and hopes
the redevelopment will change the nearby demographics.
A national campaign has started to save the Starbucks. To save the Speedway's Starbucks call 1-800-23-latte or email the corporate office.
No date has been set to close the Speedway store. The other west side Starbucks scheduled to close are located at 5060 W. 38th Street and 3021 W. 16th Street.
The manager at 38th Street had no comments other that they were saddened to be one of the stores closing.
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