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

July 16, 2024 2:35 pm
|      113 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS beverages

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 PM P.S. As noted in comments, there’s now a “Save Our Alki Starbucks” online petition.

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113 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.

      • No July 16, 2024 (5:19 pm)

        You explained about Fauntleroy but said Avalon. 

        • WSB July 16, 2024 (6:28 pm)

          The Avalon location’s official address is 4408 Fauntleroy, though it fronts on Avalon. What’s in the blockquote is Starbucks’ statement, and they used the address.

    • Showtime July 16, 2024 (7:13 pm)

      Rent too high. Not enough revenue vs. cost of doing business. 

  • Shop Small July 16, 2024 (3:14 pm)

    Starbucks is trash

    • StarSucks July 16, 2024 (10:23 pm)

      Union busters that overcharge for burnt coffee. However will be survive? Close them all.

      • Mike July 17, 2024 (1:35 pm)

        Wow, people get pretty nasty when it comes to coffee!

  • 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!

    • Wayne July 16, 2024 (4:45 pm)

      Those two are union shops are they?

    • Tess July 16, 2024 (5:10 pm)

      Also a huge loss for the employees and community, my sympathies go to those affected 

    • Just a girl July 16, 2024 (5:35 pm)

      Lula coffee in the West Seattle Junction next to Pagliacci and in SODO are some of the best coffees I’ve ever had!

      • Sue H July 16, 2024 (7:13 pm)

        Shhh … The drive-thru line at Lula is already long at times. 😉

        • Alf July 16, 2024 (10:25 pm)

          The line that filters out onto California going both north and south create a significant bottleneck in the morning accident waiting to happen 

          • Jenn July 16, 2024 (11:01 pm)

            Very much so. Blocking entire lanes of traffic rather than parking and walking in doesn’t demonstrate any critical thinking skills but definitely shows entitlement. 

      • AK July 18, 2024 (12:00 pm)

        Yes, Lula coffee is the best! Who cares about the line, just shows you how good they are!!

  • 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. 

    • Jeff July 16, 2024 (4:44 pm)

      I don’t, and neither do a lot of other people who live nearby. 

    • Alki resident July 16, 2024 (10:16 pm)

      The whole neighborhood definitely doesn’t gather there. There’s much better coffee. Starbucks needs to go away. It’s overkill 

      • Alkinian July 30, 2024 (7:44 pm)

        If you think the Alki Starbucks is about their coffee, then you don’t understand why people are so disappointed by it’s closing.  If you spent any time there, you would see that it truly is a major community meeting place that draws a huge crossection of Alkinians that reflect some of the brightest minds in the area…regardless of their social and political bent.  If you spent less time focusing on what you perceive as politically correct, you might understand that Alki Starbucks is much more than just a cup of coffee.

  • 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

      • WS Resident July 17, 2024 (12:05 am)

        Alki is deserted late Fall to early Spring. Not a soul on the walkways past 7pm on the weekdays.Its serene and I love it.

  • 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. 

    • D-Ridge July 16, 2024 (6:52 pm)

      This comment has real “no one goes there anymore, it’s too crowded” vibes. 

      • j July 16, 2024 (10:35 pm)

        Lack of parking can be a problem for staff. Transit to the area is not convenient if you don’t live fairly close and it’s hard to find people who will put up with a long commute for not a lot of pay

        • 2cents July 17, 2024 (8:19 am)

          Literally a bus parked outside this Alki location at almost all times. Couldnt be more convenient transit options.

          • Jeff July 17, 2024 (3:05 pm)

            Alki in general is not convenient if you, say, cannot afford to live in West Seattle. I think that’s their point. I know this because I used to try to go there from Beacon Hill and it takes an hour and 30 minutes by bus.

          • RayWest July 20, 2024 (4:01 am)

            2Cents – Glad you brought up that there is always an empty bus sitting in front of the store. This has always irritated me. Customers want to be able to enjoy the view while drinking their coffee, but almost ALWAYS an empty bus is parked in front of the window there. Why? That’s just one reason I stopped going. The major reason I don’t go to anything in the Alki area is parking. There is none, and you have to hike blocks to get to Alki Ave. That’s no so easy for older folks, particularly in bad weather. Parking issues is also why I rarely go to the West Seattle Junction or the Admiral Junction.  It’s not worth the hassle trying to find free and convenient parking.

  • 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.

    • conchita July 16, 2024 (4:42 pm)

      wasn’t top pot in the same building? we ❤️ ampersand! how ’bout an expansion??

      • WSB July 16, 2024 (4:44 pm)

        No, different building. The owners of the Starbucks space, Panos Properties LLC, don’t own any of the adjacent properties.

      • C July 16, 2024 (7:35 pm)

        Second ampersand!! We need coffee and a fire place to but with delicious Hawaiian coffee :-) 

  • Rhonda July 16, 2024 (4:38 pm)

    So, that stretch of Alki won’t reek with the stench of burnt coffee after August 12th? How cool is that? #FreshSeaAir

  • B July 16, 2024 (4:40 pm)

    C’est la vie. The Alki Beach Starbucks location has the best view. Convenience of the Bus stop right out front. It was awesome. Before that it was the Alki Bakery’s wonderful atmosphere that everyone enjoyed. Hopefully a new Coffee shop oasis will take that spot for the community. 

    • Alki Local July 16, 2024 (6:00 pm)

      I agree that Starbucks has the best view, and love the fireplace in the winter. However,  Fire Tacos and Cantina is in the old Alki Bakery location, Starbucks is next door.

      • B July 16, 2024 (6:39 pm)

        Yes, you are totally right. Alki’s Starbucks & the original location for Alki Bakery didn’t have the same physical address. But they both held a similar purpose & welcoming atmosphere for gathering.  Both on the beach, near the bus stop with wonderful beverages & casual breakfast & lunch options.  Just great spots.  Lots of good times in both places. 

  • Neveragain July 16, 2024 (4:43 pm)

    A lot has changed for the humble coffee shop and hometown success story that caffeinated the world.  Public trading and quarterly quotas increased the ROI, but slowly chipped away at the soul of the organization.  Although a familiar story in the world of business, I continued to patronize despite my better judgment. Maybe a leadership change can change the course I would ask myself…? Maybe the employees can organize and save the company “leadership” from themselves? Maybe they will innovate back to what made them special and not some cost cutting joke like the Siren System…?  Maybe just maybe…? It’s literally at the point for me that the Alki store with the wonderful staff, location, and energy from the beach was the last spot the Coffee Giant would get my dollar.  Thank you Corporate Overlords for pulling the bandage off and helping me make a clean break. I will NEVER patronize you again and unless you do some serious soul searching there will be more of me to come. 

    • JE July 16, 2024 (10:25 pm)

      I agree wholeheartedly. I kept hope alive longer than I probably should have. 

    • Former Sbux Analyst July 17, 2024 (7:54 am)

      I worked in the corporate office until 2017 and honestly have avoided Sbux as much as possible since. My entire department was treated poorly in many ways, and when leadership realized that’s why we kept moving to other departments, did they work to improve the issues? No, they just made a new rule that we had to stay “in role” at least two years before transferring to other teams. Final straw: I was promoted (same work, same team) and another 15 months later I was asked by a manager in another department to apply for a job on her team. My director blocked this by saying I hadn’t been “in role” long enough–the two-year rule restarted with my promotion. So I found a better job externally and never looked back. My experience is not unique. They treat their employees like children, pay is mediocre, leadership is toxic. Never again will I work there, and I have shared my experience honestly when asked, including with talented peers and even college interns deciding where to land. 

  • Rooster July 16, 2024 (5:34 pm)

    For folks that are open to branching out to a non Starbucks C and P coffee is great. I’ve been a customer there since 2003. 

  • Meeee July 16, 2024 (6:07 pm)

    Friends don’t let friends drink Starbucks

    • Scarlett July 17, 2024 (8:26 am)

      That’s an old fashioned sentiment in the shiny new Seattle that has embraced corporate globalism.  That WTO Seattle doesn’t exist anymore and any resistance is largely theatrics.   

      • Jeff July 17, 2024 (3:06 pm)

        Scarlett you make good points, that’s why it’s so baffling that you are anti lightrail and generally NIMBY but somehow also leftist adjacent… I don’t get it. 

        • Scarlett July 17, 2024 (7:46 pm)

          I’ve laid out my arguments why I believe light rail is unecessary and I don’t care if they intersect, coincidentally, with others who I might disagree with or not agree with, on other topics.   Not any more complicated than that.   

          • SoLongDelridge July 19, 2024 (11:14 am)

            You don’t have any arguments. You have hyperbole and conspiracy. I just have to wonder if this is your attempt to balance any left wing views you have to appear more palatable. 

            Whatever the reason, I love reading your nonsensical screeds and clear lack of principles.

  • JTinWS July 16, 2024 (6:12 pm)

    Truly baffling. They seem to do really solid business at the Alki location. I always liked it as a solid WiFi+coffee place to work near the beach. Ampersand is good too but with limited hours, offerings, and is basically at capacity most sunny mornings already.

  • Ms_F July 16, 2024 (6:14 pm)

    This is terrible news! I’ve been going there for years!  There’s nothing like a moody, rainy day at the beach, having a coffee near the fireplace! I’d of course prefer a non-corporate coffee house, but how will they afford the rent? It’s not going to happen. 😢😢😢

  • Linda Knight July 16, 2024 (6:22 pm)

    You can sign a petition to save Starbucks AlkiChange.orq -search Starkbucks Alki

  • Alki mom July 16, 2024 (6:22 pm)

    Say it ain’t so !! 🥲 This is my favorite Starbucks and I will miss it so much! So many memories of grabbing breakfast after school drop offs, a fun destination to get a donut and hot coco with the kids in the winter, and my favorite stop for ice tea before heading to the beach in the summer. Hate this news! 

  • Alki Parent July 16, 2024 (6:23 pm)

    I guess on the bright side my spending at Starbucks will go down about 95%.

  • Craig Threlkeld July 16, 2024 (6:28 pm)

    When I’m home, I use a quality roast, but admit to using Starbucks in Duluth, etc. it MAY not be all that good (it isn’t) but it’s a known, which is acceptable in that situation.BTW, running a business on a beach is difficult in the off-season (even for HUGE, multi-tentacled, global, corporations) stay FAR away from THAT situation.

  • Alki Resident July 16, 2024 (6:38 pm)

    Ampersands better stay open later, now that Starbucks is gone.

  • Jenna S July 16, 2024 (6:50 pm)

    Awful news about the Alki Starbucks closing. It seemed to be a solid performer.  I hope they reconsider.  

  • Lance July 16, 2024 (7:28 pm)

    Finally a closure that is positive , one of the great quality’s of this community is the diverse, independently owned businesses , something that isn’t as prevalent anymore in most major city’s . Most of California ave is all independent businesses, of course it’s sad for the employees, heart goes out to them. Perhaps all those that love Starbucks so much venture out a bit and support your local coffee shops, there’s quite a few here in West Seattle that serve amazing coffee and have plenty of space for gathering..let’s keep those small shops from have to close, feels good to give them $$ and not the big corps.

    • wscommuter July 17, 2024 (9:17 am)

      Your sentiment, while romantic, is likely untethered from reality.  I assume (don’t know) that the reason for this is a rent increase from the property owner (their right).  If I’m correct, whatever replaces S’bux is not likely to be a local independent business, but more likely to be some other corporate chain that can absorb the overhead.  We’ll see.  I’m not fan of S’bux per se, but I did  enjoy using this particular location precisely for its location/view/ambience which made working there for an hour or two pleasant.  

  • Infantry72 July 16, 2024 (7:31 pm)

    As a former multi-unit cafe/coffee shop owner, my humble experience would suggest a combination of things which are all profit related: it’s missing a drive thru, which is a 100% money maker; the rents are probably creeping up enough that they negotiated another 5 or 10yr lease and the landlord was unwilling to negotiate or offer concessions.It’s never been particularly busy during the winter months (at least during the times I’ve been there), and it has a large brick/mortar footprint for a starbucks that doesn’t have a drive thru and not steady morning rush of commuters. To top it off, terrible parking options on any given sunny morning, which lead potential customers to seek SB elsewhere (like the remodeling of the Fauntleroy location). I’m sure there are other things at play (payroll, turnover, shrinkage, etc), but in my humble opinion – I bet those were the hot topic buttons to push.

  • Robert Schmidt July 16, 2024 (7:36 pm)

    After what that Lowlife did to our Sonics, you couldn’t pay me to drink a Starbucks. But I’m not bitter.

    • BlairJ July 17, 2024 (9:00 am)

      I’m not bitter, but Starbucks is.

    • Rick July 17, 2024 (9:11 am)

      Bitter…say it ain’t so!

  • Gracefully July 16, 2024 (7:47 pm)

    So happy starbucks is closing one of it’s 200 locations in Seattle now alki people can run an extra 5 miles up hit to another Starbucks because ya can’t find a cup of joe anywhere for a buck ya have to spend 10-15$ while people are dieing on the streets. Make cooperations like Starbucks fix the housing crisis because the government won’t 

    • Ted July 16, 2024 (10:49 pm)

      large Cooperations do not care about people!

  • KA July 16, 2024 (7:48 pm)

    Sad. And who calls the Drive Thru “Avalon”? 

    • 22blades July 17, 2024 (3:45 am)

      Because you enter on Avalon (or 35th) & that’s where you identify it maybe?

  • WS Mom July 16, 2024 (7:52 pm)

    Whether you love it or hate it (and I’m in the former category), I will say this: the employees at the Starbucks on Alki are always polite and nice. I will miss it. 

  • Dan July 16, 2024 (7:57 pm)

    Some what disappointed and surprised.   It seemed to be a busy spot. 

  • Rainer July 16, 2024 (8:37 pm)

    Not sad to see them go. Their coffee is overpriced anyway. Apparently their profit margin from that location is not in line with what the top-tier management expects. I would rather support a small independent coffee shop than help shoving money down the throat of some CEO who makes many millions of $ every year or pay for their ubiquitous advertisements. Ampersand (just a few steps from Starbucks on Aldi) has great coffee, and hopefully they are going to expand their hours with Starbucks out of there.

    • Jessica July 17, 2024 (8:10 pm)

      Yes! Lived on Alki for the past three years and AMPERSAND is LOCAL, BETTER COFFEE BY FAR, and just awesome all around. Good riddance to this McDonald’s of coffee corporate garbage.

  • Luke July 16, 2024 (9:02 pm)

    It’s hard to imagine a longer line at Ampersand, but I guess we’re about to find out. 

  • Vee July 16, 2024 (9:13 pm)

    I won’t miss it, used to go there long time ago until it became like so many Starbucks and other coffee shops where people using wifi hog up all the best spots with views and hang out for hours sipping on their one drink

  • Infantry72 July 16, 2024 (9:37 pm)

    For those that are pining for another coffee shop to take up residence, again – in my humble opinion – I’d be shocked if another local or regional coffee company sets up shop behind them. If SB can’t make it there as a viable business, neither will they, just facts, folks.  If I owned Ampersand, I’d stand my ground (no pun intended), and take the overflow, but I’m not about to put myself or business out there if the world’s largest coffee brand said, “no thanks” to those epic coastal views. I’d be willing to bet a small fortune that the landlords have a either special food space to go in, or they were caught blindsided by SB’s decision to pull the plug.  I’d love to have been a fly on the wall for that telephone conversation….  That being said, unless the landlord had a “plan A”, I wouldn’t expect to see a “plan B” anytime soon; you’re gonna have to convince another company that this spot is profitable, where SB was not. Doesn’t seem likely or plausible, but I’d love to be wrong – that’s a lot of retail space…..

  • aa July 16, 2024 (9:38 pm)

    I am so tired of the constant battlefield we live in.  You can’t even want a place to buy a cup of coffee without someone making a political objection. All of this anger is exhausting.

    • Merna July 17, 2024 (8:04 am)

      I agree. I’m pro-union, but also really think Starbucks has done a decent job with employee benefits (not ageist, education benefit). People are full of unsubtle perspectives and mean spirited self righteousness, and it doesn’t seem to matter how petty the subject. I just want a place in my neighborhood to get a coffee and sit for a little while while on a daily walk from tip to tip of Alki Beach. I love ampersand but try sitting in there most days-it’s like an obstacle course on any other day besides Monday late morning, especially if you’re not the size of a greyhound, and it closes at 2 or 3. That’s our only other cafe. On a Saturday the line is an hour long. I can bring my own coffee on my walk and sit at a bench, which I often do, but sometimes it’s nice to pause in a social place, that’s not fish n chips or a restaurant. I’m super disappointed this is going away. The people who work there are really nice people and I will miss it. It’d be cool if Alki Bakery could return.

    • anonyme July 17, 2024 (8:21 am)

      This is a wise comment.  Point taken.

      • JustSarah July 17, 2024 (7:23 pm)

        No it’s not. Consumer awareness is vital in our current world. 

    • Brian July 17, 2024 (3:44 pm)

      If it makes you feel any better, the global coffee trade is destroying the rainforest and countless other natural resources. 

      • Matt July 17, 2024 (7:54 pm)

        Which is hilarious since Starbucks has done more for ethical sourcing and sustainment in coffee than anyone in the industry – by like miles. People just want a villain to hate these days..

        • JustSarah July 18, 2024 (8:27 am)

          Sbux supports “sustainable” coffee practices because they need to sustain their own supply. It’s as simple as that. They need a continually-increasing supply of coffee at a low price. Therefore it is in their best interest to invest a bit in the growers to ensure there will be crops and harvesting labor available into the future. It’s not done out of altruism. 

          • Tofu August 5, 2024 (11:37 am)

            But coffee supplies gets sustained, isn’t that the bottom line? If Starbucks, with its reach and scale, doesn’t do it, then who can, who will? 

  • Mp July 16, 2024 (9:51 pm)

    My guess is that the primary metric Starbucks is using to evaluate (non drive thru) stores is mobile order volume. I hardly ever see a high volume of mobile pick up drinks at Alki, versus Admiral where it seems that’s half their business. Unfortunately being a place where people go to meet up and hang out is no longer Starbucks’ business model. 

  • Commuter July 16, 2024 (10:28 pm)

    It will be replaced by another overpriced restaurant because another place with “The Best Happy Hour on Alki!” Is exactly what we need. Or even better, a Chipotle. 

  • orange cat energy July 16, 2024 (11:04 pm)

    I worked at this starbucks location for 3 years up until last year and the main reason why they closed is due to the store barely breaking even every month except for summer months. 

  • 22blades July 17, 2024 (3:36 am)

    I’m assuming the lease is up. There’s something wrong when Seattle’s Starbucks prices are higher than San Francisco & Tokyo… like by a dollar. Maybe they need better “beancounters”.  The Admiral store & staff are great  but it’s physically small, has major parking & access problems (it’s like watching a demo derby): an accident waiting to happen if it hasn’t happened already. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know how tough retail on Alki is after September.  Certainly not enough traffic for premium rents in winter. The Alki store was my morning routine after my am walk. Best of luck & thank you to the great staff there.

  • Liz Day July 17, 2024 (5:17 am)

    Remember  Ampersand was supposed to close at one time due to development,  which I guess is on hold for now. That would leave us locals looking for a new spot.  I miss Tulleys and my tribe there  and now I will miss my gang at SB. Farewell  my friends 🧡 

  • CoffeeNut July 17, 2024 (5:28 am)

    Starbucks is now mostly focusing on opening new stores with drive thrus in smaller cities going into spaces that were previously fast food restaurants.  Must maximize profits at all costs.

  • James July 17, 2024 (6:47 am)

    Starbucks once had soul and my loyalty.  No more. When they began breaking the law (300+ NLRB violations) through illegal labor practices while fighting the union that 71% of their customers support, that goodwill died.  It has been over a year since this 30+ year customer gave his hard earned cash to Starbucks. Ampersand is a good alternative.  Hood Famous in the CD is better yet.  Great pastries, too.  BIPOC, woman owned and unionized.

    • Jeff July 17, 2024 (9:50 am)

      Hood Famous is a true hidden gem. Worth the drive out of West Seattle. I really would like Boon Boona to open up here. We have it inside of Till Dawn but they need their own shop!

      • Kathy July 18, 2024 (11:26 am)

        Or worth a bike ride out of West Seattle. Take the Weller Street elevator to get up there. Water Taxi, too if you want to make it a great trip. Then you’ve actually earned your pastry calories.

  • Not a Loss July 17, 2024 (7:33 am)

    No one has mentioned the world-wide boycott of Starbucks as a possible reason for revenue loss. In addition to the union-busting, Starbucks has some complicity with Israel and so they are losing customers. I heard they have been closing many locations. Don’t know if that played a part here.

  • Mark July 17, 2024 (7:41 am)

    Starbucks???…I used to call them FourBucks….now I think it’s time to change the company name to SixBucks!!!  

  • Crowski July 17, 2024 (9:13 am)

    Interesting! “Starbucks Fauntleroy will undergo a renovation and reopen with an updated design.” Hmm! Isn’t Corporate aware that this store and 68 other West Seattle businesses and dozens of homes are slated for eminent domain due to ST3 WSLE? 

    • Jeff July 17, 2024 (11:03 am)

      Would be weird to assume they weren’t aware. They’re allowed to be open until Demo day.  It is a shame we cannot go underground by the stadium and golf course area.

  • irene July 17, 2024 (9:33 am)

    as a daily user of Starbucks, I’m devastated that this lovely site, with the best view in the world, and no matter what they say, the best coffee too– is closing.  It’s a busy store, serves a huge population of west seattle and visitors from all over town.  The staff is wonderful.  NO other Starbucks sites in W. Seattle has the space and ambiance of this store.   It seems irrational to close this site.&nbspAND the only site where there is always parking within a block–others have tiny parking lots and no feasable street parking. It’s fashionable to trash Starbucks as so many comments above show…thoughtless and smug as well.  For those of us who value a daily visit there, it will be a serious loss.  Please support the effort to keep it open even if you don’t drink their coffee.  Thanks.  Irene Peters

  • ITotallyAgreeWithYou July 17, 2024 (9:52 am)

    Starbucks needs saving?? Hardly. Don’t grieve too hard for Starbucks. Per Jordan Zakarin: “After years of identifying as a progressive employer, Starbucks is now sponsoring the Republican National Convention. Republicans oppose LBGTQ+ and workers’ rights but the conservative Supreme Court recently gave Starbucks a big win vs its union.” I will put my money where it doesn’t support this or the RNC.

  • A-Red July 17, 2024 (10:13 am)

    For all the people who are down on Starbucks, did you know that over 10,000 baristas have received a FREE college degree from Arizona State University online since 2014 when the benefit was introduced? Did you know that Starbucks was a leader in providing health care benefits to part time employees? Did you know that ever single employee gets a stock grant once a year? Did you know that Starbucks has agronomy centers in coffee-growing regions where all farmers, whether they sell to Starbucks or not, can get assistance for their farms (for example, free starts of trees that are resistant to “coffee rust,” low-interest “micro loans” that offer favorable terms, etc). I get it: you’re mad at Howard for selling the Sonics (even though he tried to find a local buyer for two years). I get it: you’re mad at the company for “union busting” (despite the great benefits mentioned and the absolute fact that if you show up to work when scheduled with a good attitude, you can climb the ranks from barista to the c-suite). I won’t be reading your angry replies to my message. I’ve heard it all before. 

    • GetOverIt July 17, 2024 (12:45 pm)

      THANK YOU FOR SAYING THIS. I’m SOOOOO tired of the Sonics BS, it’s been how many years, get over it people. This city loves to hold a grudge and it’s frankly embarrassing. If someone doesn’t want to go to SB, fine, makes the line shorter for me but I’ll standby and laugh at the “boycott” which isn’t really affecting their bottom line, they’re just making strategic business moves. 

    • Former Sbux Analyst July 18, 2024 (8:40 am)

      I worked for Sbux corporate in supply chain and experienced firsthand how rough the company is on vendors of all types. In my capacity, I worked with product suppliers and logistics providers (carriers and storage/distribution). We’d expect them all to want to lose money in their business with Sbux just to have the privilege of a contract. These same vendors were rarely allowed to disclose their relationship with Sbux in any kind of advertising or marketing, so what benefit were they actually getting from the relationship? I was there when we crushed a growing bagel business by forcing them to launch as a new supplier more than six months earlier than planned, simply because of Sbux’s own poor planning (single-sourced supply, major safety risk with former supplier). I was in calls where the new supplier was told by our leadership that Howard Schultz was listening (he was) and they could either get to full production and shipping by end of the week or forfeit the contract. Then we forced them to take on double the production volume originally asked. Not surprisingly, they also had quality issues within months and were fired, after investing who knows how much into a ton of production equipment and logistics space. That’s just one example; I have a ton from my few years there. It’s not a good company, they’re just good at PR. 

  • R-n-B July 17, 2024 (10:26 am)

    This isn’t a bad thing. Starbucks is a far cry from the quality coffee house that it started out as decades ago.You used to know the single-variety coffee beans that went into each “blend”, the baristas were actually skilled and knew how to pull a quality espresso shot, and the pastries were commissioned from local bakeries which supported local business.All of that is long gone yet people still pay a premium for subpar products. Why?The monstrosity that Starbucks has become needs to die. 

  • Deborah July 17, 2024 (12:06 pm)

    How does West Seattle feel about a classy, local, female-owned adult retail shop in the Starbucks space?

    • AK July 18, 2024 (12:06 pm)

      Deborah, I would love this!!! Bring it on!!! I would shop there a lot!!!

      • Deborah July 20, 2024 (9:18 am)

        Woohoo! Thanks for the support.   In the meantime please check out  joyboxx.com can deliver to West Sea! 

  • Saad July 17, 2024 (1:02 pm)

    For everyone who is upset at Starbucks closing Alki store there is a solution. From now until ……raise your voice in opposition to the closing by letting your most powerful weapon speak for you. Your MONEY. Go on social media, talk to everyone you can reach, send emails to Starbucks let them know that you will start boycotting ALL their stores if they continue their action. As far as I’m concerned, the Alki location is not just a coffee shop, it is a place where people meet socially and professionally.  Employees work their to support their families. It is a place for everyone. It will be a shame to see it go, unless we do something about it. One of you techies out there should do a “Save Alki Starbucks” web page, or what ever it’s called and have people raise their opposition …. Do something!!!!

  • Gary Richardson July 17, 2024 (4:56 pm)

    That Starbucks on Alki was one of my favorites with the sunset views during summertime.I didn’t care for the switch to french pastries and the installation of uncomfortable seats made to increase customer volume.If they were going to stay, I’d rather see the comfortable environment be brought back and an offering if warm comfort food in winter (Bratwurst and spatzle,  Stuffed Biscuits & Sausage Gravy, British Curry (Japanese Style) with pizza style Naan and maybe a farm to table light fare during the warm season.Starbucks really missed out on getting involved in the Bubble Tea movement, especially if the fruit stays on the vine till it’s ready to be picked at peak ripeness and blended.The Japanese pay a premium for the best fruits and something similar can be done here with nearby vertical and rooftop gardens.

  • Chris July 17, 2024 (9:35 pm)

    I wonder if the numerous recent break in’s had something to do with the decision.  Couple that with increasing rent and lower volume in the off season.  Talked to a couple of the barista’s this am who said overall the store is profitable so ???I’m bummed as we love to walk Beach Dr to there in the mornings and back with coffee as a routine. :(

  • Paul July 18, 2024 (8:33 am)

    Lula’s in the Junction makes delicious coffee, and your also supporting a Woman owned local business.

  • Kathy July 18, 2024 (11:37 am)

    Another empty store front on Alki for months or more likely, years. It will mean less cars milling around our neighborhood looking for parking in the morning, at least. This will create a big deficit on Alki for people looking for a workspace with wifi. And at the Avalon location, less people in line burning fossil fuels while it’s closed. I don’t agree that the view of all the parked cars was that great at the Alki Starbucks.

  • JohnH July 18, 2024 (1:47 pm)

    Starbucks leaving from Alki will be a net negative for me.  Few coffee shops have the hours, selection and space to hang out like this location does.  Too bad for the employees that really like working there.

  • West Seattle resident July 18, 2024 (4:29 pm)

    Personally, I don’t understand this decision. I think it was a wrong decision. This is a very busy location with very loyal customers. I’m told that employees and even the regional manager were completely caught off guard by it. My heart goes out to the employees who love working there and will be losing their jobs.

  • Patrick July 18, 2024 (8:39 pm)

    No independent coffee shop can afford the rent, why do you think west Seattle brewing company left?

  • Aleckai July 23, 2024 (3:47 pm)

    Just overheard from an employee:

    • – Rent is nearly $20k / month.
    • – Landlord refuses to conduct basic maintenance, like stopping a leak above a light fixture during the rainy season, which drips into the customer facing areas.

    Really a shame. I’m sitting here with the windows open, front row seat to the sound, working away on the day’s projects. This has been a fond hang out for me since moving here in 2023. I wish we could save it. I wish landlord’s would take care of their properties better.

      Also respectfully contact Panos Properties LLC & Starbucks. 
  • JAH July 23, 2024 (5:26 pm)

    It’s my understanding that the landlord gave the Alki Starbucks something like 3 weeks notice, and is basically forcing them out. It sounds politically motivated. It sounds like the landlord has some resentments against Starbucks and is forcing those resentments on the whole community. 

  • Alkinian July 31, 2024 (8:44 am)

    It’s really unfortunate that Alki is losing such a major gathering place for our community.  Alki Starbucks has not been about a cup of coffee.  It’s been Alki’s focal point for civil discourse and community connection on a larger scale. Those that are wrapped up in their own political correctness, and their obvious bias against anything that is “Starbucks”, are missing the point.  They could have really benefited by taking advantage of Alki Starbuck’s open minded environment.  It’s more than a cup of coffee.

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