Listen to article \u2022\u00a00:00 min<\/p>\n
Starbucks<\/a> is closing two Philadelphia stores and one in South Jersey among roughly 250 locations the company announced it is shuttering this week. <\/p>\n The company \u201cidentified locations where we do not believe we can consistently deliver the experience we want for customers and partners or where we don\u2019t see a path to acceptable financial performance,\u201d chief operating officer Mike Grams said in a statement this week.<\/p>\n Starbucks spokesperson Andrew Trull said the stores at 2201 South St. in Center City<\/a> and 1018 N. Second St. in Northern Liberties<\/a>, as well as the Willingboro store in New Jersey at 4380 Route 130, are expected to shutter \u201clater this week.\u201d The stores appear to be closing as of Sunday, according to the Starbucks website store locator. The company did not share whether other locations in the Philadelphia area are expected to close. <\/p>\n The company closed six Philadelphia locations<\/a> last year.<\/p>\n The 250 stores closing represent about 1% of the over 18,000 Starbucks in North America, according to Grams. Of the 250 closing stores, 20 are unionized, according to the baristas\u2019 union, Starbucks Workers United. <\/p>\n Starbucks has several dozen stores in Philadelphia and more in the surrounding counties. <\/p>\n \u201cStarbucks leadership is failing the company, and trouble is brewing for Starbucks,\u201d Starbucks Workers United said in a statement. The company, in response, pointed to its recent financial turnaround under company CEO Brian Niccol, who stepped into the role in 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n Starbucks baristas have been organizing for years, electing Starbucks Workers United to represent them at nearly 700 stores, according to the union, but they have not yet reached a first union contract with the company. <\/p>\n Starbucks closes some locations and opens new ones every year, Grams said, adding that is part of \u201cmanaging our portfolio.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe remain excited about the significant long-term growth opportunity ahead in North America,\u201d Grams said. \u201cWe are actively developing a strong pipeline of new coffeehouses and remain committed to growth in North America.\u201d <\/p>\n The announcement this week is the latest round of store closures since Niccol took over as CEO. Upon last year\u2019s closures, including six in Philly, Niccol cited nearly identical reasoning as Grams did this week for the latest changes.<\/p>\n