Starbucks Has Change of Heart, Decides Against Closing Washington Avenue Location

Despite word that Starbucks was set to close the doors Sept. 22 of its Murrieta location on Washington Avenue, a company spokesperson said Monday the store will remain open.

"We are happy to confirm that the Starbucks location at 23811 Washington Avenue, Suite 101, in Murrieta, CA will not be closing," the spokesperson said in an emailed response to Patch.

On Friday, Patch had queried Starbucks regarding the status of the store after receiving reports from concerned community members that it would be closing.

Several petitions were being circulated in an effort to keep the location open, including at Murrieta Valley High School, Patch learned.

Two customers in particular, Cheryl Cameron and Lisa Raines, had been collecting signatures separately but joined forces Friday outside the Starbucks.

The women told Patch they had heard from employees that the Starbucks, which they described as an important meeting place for the community, was slated for closure Sept. 22.

RELATED: Residents Petition to Stop Closure of Neighborhood Starbucks

Over the weekend, the women emailed Patch to say that regional Starbucks executives had since decided against closing the store.

"Today, compeltely unexpectedly, while we were collecting signatures the manager came out to let us know she had just gotten a call from the district manager...to let them know that because of the community outpouring of support they have decided to keep that store open!!" Raines said Saturday in an email to Patch. "We honestly didn't think what we were doing would really matter in a big business, money decision."

Cameron copied Patch on an email she sent Saturday to regional Starbucks management in response to the news: "We were not surprised to learn that there were several other petitions already being circulated. There are so many of us in this community who value the Washington Street Starbucks. We value this Starbucks, specifically, because it demonstrates exactly what Starbucks' Mission Statement states: community, neighborhood, and connection. Starbucks could have followed through with its business decision to close this store; however, the community of Murrieta rallied together, our voices did not fall on deaf ears, and Starbucks listened to its local customers. On behalf of our small, but mighty, Murrieta community, we thank you for your decision to keep the Washington Street Starbucks open!"

In the statement received Monday from Starbucks, the spokesperson went on to say: "We take great pride in being a part of the Murrieta community and providing an environment where our customers and members of the community can come to relax, visit with each other, get work done, and discuss things that are meaningful to them."