Starbucks Speculation

Speculation about which Starbucks locations will be powering down their espresso machines is rampant. One of my favorite blogs, savvysugar.com, has a well-organized Google map showing some of the rumored closures, including the one that went in last year in North Little Rock on McCain. It's in that little strip mall behind Hooters. There's no official confirmation from the coffee nazis in Seattle yet, but the tip came via the Seattle Times, so maybe it's true.

This location was one I'd imagined would be on the chopping block. It makes no financial sense for Starbucks to close the locations where they bought the land and recently constructed new facilities. But it does figure to close the shops they just threw into rented strip malls.

A global communications VP for Starbucks spoke just two weeks ago to a professional group in Arkansas (just two work days before the 600-store closings announcement). She mentioned that the company would be making more big changes aimed at moving their holdings from 80 percent U.S. stores to dominantly overseas locations. You'll see no more music or DVDs there that can be purchased elsewhere, she added. And I'm more than thrilled that they've switched from the T-Mobile pay-by-the-day Internet access to free AT&T wireless for people with registered Starbucks cards. Our household already has two.

Reluctant Shop Boy and I have contemplated asking our baristas if they know any buzz about the future of our local Starbucks. But we figured that's akin to asking if you know whether you're going to be fired. Our fingers are crossed that our favorite Starbucks location keeps its green sign lit for many ventis to come. Even in a shaky economy, a girl's gotta have her occasional iced vanilla latte.