As of Thursday, September 25, Starbucks has permanently closed the Seattle Reserve Roastery in Capitol Hill as well as the Starbucks Reserve store in SODO. The Roastery in Capitol Hill had a sign on the door on Thursday announcing the permanent closure and the Starbucks CEO released a statement that same day regarding coffeehouse closures and eliminated roles. At time of publication the Seattle Reserve Instagram did not yet have a closure announcement posted.
Read on for all the details.
In a sign posted on the door and addressed to “our Cap Hill neighbors and friends,” Starbucks announced: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closure of the Seattle Reserve Roastery,” calling it a “difficult decision to make.” The Seattle Reserve Roastery was the first one ever opened. It has operated in the Capitol Hill neighborhood since 2014, offering tours, signature cocktails, coffee flights, and a substantial food menu.
In a press release shared on the Starbucks website, CEO Brian Niccol wrote: “We identified coffeehouses where we’re unable to create the physical environment our customers and partners expect, or where we don’t see a path to financial performance, and these locations will be closed.” In the announcement he also shared that Starbucks will be eliminating about 900 current non-retail roles. Niccol was brought on as the new Starbucks CEO a year ago this month. Seattle locations were not specifically mentioned in his statement.
Regarding employees at the closed Seattle locations, the note posted on the Capitol Hill Roastery said: “We care deeply about them and are working closely to support them during this transition.” Niccol expanded on this support in his press release, specifying that affected employees will be offered transfers to other locations and severance packages.
The only other remaining Starbucks Reserve Roastery locations are in New York, Chicago, Tokyo, Milan, and Shanghai. There is no news about those being closed as of now.
UPDATE 9/26: These Seattle Starbucks locations will be closed as well:
- Fourth & Diagonal-Seattle: 4115 Fourth Ave. S., Seattle 98134
- Pickup — First & Denny: 100 Denny Way, Seattle 98109
- Eastlake: 2344 Eastlake Ave E., Seattle 98102
- Lower Queen Anne: 425 Queen Anne Ave N., Seattle 98109
- Ballard: 2200 NW Market St., Seattle 98107
- 130th & Aurora: 13025 Aurora Ave N., Seattle 98133
- 145th & 15th: 14359 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125
The last day of operations for the above stores will be Saturday, September 27.
We will update this post further as needed.