Starbucks To Close Stores In Brookline

BROOKLINE, MA — Starbucks announced last year it planned to close 150 poorly performing company-operated stores in 2019. While there are thousands of the coffee shops across the country, two of the stores set to close are in Brookline, according to employees.

The Harvard Street Starbucks is closed and one in Washington Square are set to close, according to staff.

Starbucks officials did not immediately respond to request for comment. However, last year the ceo made an announcement that the company was streamlining in an effort to increase shareholder returns.

"We must move faster to address the more rapidly changing preferences and needs of our customers," said Kevin Johnson, Starbucks president and ceo in a statement last year.

This isn't the first time Starbucks shuttered stores and cut jobs. This isn't even the biggest cut. About a decade ago, in 2008 and 2009 on the heels of the recession Starbucks announced they were cutting 600 stores and something like 12,000 jobs.

In the Starbucks at 473 Harvard Street there's a for lease sign in the window. Employees are telling customers they've known for about a month. But, they said the company has offered them jobs at other stores in the area.

The Starbucks in Washington Square doesn't have a date set for its departure, but employees were told it will be before January.

Employees at the Starbucks in Coolidge Corner and in Brookline Village said those stores are staying open.

Employees at the Starbucks in Cleveland Circle said they're expected to stick around for the foreseeable future, too, though they are set to be closed for renovation Monday and possibly Tuesday.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).