Two Starbucks Coffee stores in the nation’s capital have closed as part of the company’s massive restructuring effort across North America. The Seattle-based chain tells CTV News Ottawa it has closed its locations at 81 Metcalfe St. near Slater Street in Centretown and another at 409 MacKay St. near Beechwood Avenue in New Edinburgh. Both stores are no longer active on the Starbucks website or its app. Locations that have closed have signage up to notify customers, the company says. “We recognize these decisions affect customers and communities, and we remain committed to serving customers in the communities where we operate,” Starbucks Coffee said in a statement. “In many cases, customers will continue to have access to another nearby Starbucks coffeehouse. We review each coffeehouse individually using a range of factors, including customer experience and long-term performance.” The closures come a year after Starbucks shut down nine Ottawa locations as part of a similar restructuring plan. The coffee chain announced last week plans to close 250 “underperforming” coffeehouses across North America, as the company seeks to deepen its push to revive sales. There are four other Starbucks locations in Centretown, but none in the New Edinburgh/Vanier area. The nearest store to the former MacKay Street location is inside the Loblaws on McArthur Avenue, about 2.5 kilometres away. The company didn’t say how many jobs would be impacted but says it will find transfer opportunities for affected employees “wherever possible.” Those without transfer possibilities will be provided severance. The company says the closures will result in about US$300 million in restructuring charges, representing about one per cent of its roughly 18,000 stores in North America. With files from Reuters
