STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Starbucks at Staten Island Mall served its final customers on Dec. 5. The storefront did not reopen for business today.
Readers may recall an earlier mix-up this fall when the company mistakenly announced the mall café’s closure. This time, it’s official. Starbucks did not respond to questions about why the store is shutting down, whether other Staten Island locations will close, or what will happen to affected workers. However, an employee said Friday night that the crew will transfer to other locations.
The closure reflects a broader trend. Time Out New York reported 34 Starbucks locations have closed across New York City in 2025 as part of a nationwide downsizing. In a Sept. 25 memo, CEO Brian Niccol said stores without “a path to financial performance” or the right customer experience would shut.
Reactions and rebellions
The mall café had already made headlines in October when a mistaken closure announcement sparked contrasting reactions. As then reported by Advance/SILive.com, responses were mixed: locally, residents posted comments like ‘So what?’ on social media, while nationally, Starbucks employees and customers expressed outrage on the company’s Instagram account, citing abrupt layoffs and limited transfer options.
At the moment, Starbucks is also facing its longest-ever labor strike. The “Red Cup Rebellion,” led by Starbucks Workers United, now spans 145 stores in 105 cities, with more than 3,000 baristas walking out. The union demands better hours, higher pay, and resolution of hundreds of labor law violations. Over 200,000 supporters have signed a “No Contract, No Coffee” pledge to boycott Starbucks until a deal is reached. According to a report by USA Today, despite the growing movement, Starbucks says it expects “no meaningful disruption,” though it recently paid $35 million to settle scheduling violations in New York City.
The company’s West Brighton Forest Avenue store unionized in 2022.
While Starbucks contracts, Staten Island’s coffee culture is thriving. Bella Beans opened in Rosebank during the pandemic and sparked a wave of independent cafés. Today, the borough boasts spots like The Flower Lab in Richmond Valley, which pairs espresso with floral design; The Caffeinated New Yorker in Stapleton for pastries and breads; and Oda Cafe in West Brighton for Turkish coffee. Moka & Co. on New Dorp Lane serves Yemeni brews, while Coffee & Collectibles in Castleton Corners mixes antiques with lattes. Brew Bar in Great Kills offers funky seating and Main Street Coffee charms Tottenville with its cottage vibe. Even Beezy Bees in Travis now micro-roasts Colombian and Brazilian beans, serving from a bright yellow trailer at Sweetbrook Garden Center.
Competition is also brewing from abroad: Luckin Coffee, China’s largest chain, recently opened two Manhattan stores. Its app-only model and steep discounts helped it surpass Starbucks in China within six years—hinting at a new battle for U.S. coffee drinkers.