BIZNOTE: Starbucks closing Alki store permanently, closing Avalon store temporarily

Starbucks has a two-part announcement – main headline is that it’s closing its Alki store (2742 Alki Avenue SW), but it’s also temporarily closing its Avalon store. Here’s the announcement we received from company spokesperson Sam Jefferies:

Starbucks is adjusting the operations of two stores in the West Seattle area.

We evaluate our store portfolio annually to determine where we can best meet our community and customers’ needs. This includes opening new locations, identifying stores in need of investment or renovation, and making decisions about store closure or relocation

After careful consideration, we’ve determined it is best to close the store at 2742 Alki Avenue. Our last day at this location will be August 11, 2024. All Starbucks partners (employees) working at that store will have the opportunity to transfer to one of our nearby locations in Seattle.

In alignment with this closure, we are happy to share that our store located at 4408 Fauntleroy Way SW will undergo a renovation and will close from July 29 until September of 2024. The store will reopen with an updated design, including the new Siren System.

ADDED: The Alki store’s been open since 1999. Its most recent renovation was nine years ago, in 2015. Its closure will leave five standalone Starbucks stores in West Seattle (Admiral, Junction, Avalon, Morgan, Westwood) as well as multiple grocery-store stands. The last standalone store Starbucks closed in West Seattle was in Jefferson Square in 2008; that one was open less than a year, and was one of hundreds of closures at that time, but the company tells us the Alki closure is the only Seattle closure they’re planning at this time … As for the beverage scene on Alki, after this closure, Ampersand will be the only coffee-focused shop in the heart of the beach, though several other places offer coffee as a sideline, and there’s a new tea shop on the way to Alki (Happy Lemon).

8 Replies to "BIZNOTE: Starbucks closing Alki store permanently, closing Avalon store temporarily"

  • BMC July 16, 2024 (2:49 pm)

    Why is Avalon temporarily closing? Wow – the Alki location was great.BTW – if you head to Costco – the Starbucks just north of there is rarely busy.

    • WSB July 16, 2024 (2:51 pm)

      It’s explained in the announcement – for renovations.

  • Jeff July 16, 2024 (3:27 pm)

    Great news. We need less Starbucks and more non-macro local shops. No sympathy for places that illegally union bust. I prefer someone like Fuel or Boon Boona move into the Alki Starbucks space. Why sacrifice quality for a big brand? No need!

  • webcami July 16, 2024 (3:28 pm)

    I submitted a form to Starbucks to let them know how devastating this is for the area. Do we know if the building owner ended their lease?  I can’t express how sad I am about this.  The whole neighborhood gathers there. 

  • wscommuter July 16, 2024 (3:42 pm)

    This is mystifying, given that the Alki location is packed daily.  Bummer for the neighborhood for those of us who patronize them.  Not that S’bux will miss us.  

    • Uhh July 16, 2024 (4:23 pm)

      Have you been there in the offseason? It is NOT packed daily lol

  • drM July 16, 2024 (3:48 pm)

    This make no sense….UNLESS….parking is considered an issue in the summer time and very few customers off-season. I suspect that might be the reason. It’s going to make the Admiral store *really* busy and may in fact drive people away, as parking there is even more limited than Alki. 

  • Juan Valdez July 16, 2024 (4:10 pm)

    More than likely the lease is up and they didn’t want to pay more rent.  Same thing that happened to Top Pot, among others.  Another coffee shop would likely do well in that space, provided they could afford the real estate.  It isn’t cheap on Alki.

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