Magic Johnson Leaves Uptown Collaboration

Magic Johnson is bowing out of the Uptown Starbuck's collaboration that originally was conceived in 1998. The Uptown Starbucks located at 4600 W. Magnolia, in Chicago's 46th Ward, was the first collaboration which multiplied to over 125 throughout the nation and eight in Chicago. Magic Johnson said the goal of his venture was to "create economic activity in historically under served ethnic communities, to create jobs for local residents, and to attract other businesses to the area." This statement comes from the executive vice president of the company at the time.

Recently, Magic Johnson Enterprises sold all its remaining shares in the stores back to Starbucks. The purpose of the project was to determine if having a Starbucks Coffee in Uptown, or any under served area for that matter, could spur or encourage retail activity. Although Magic Johnson is not affiliated with the project anymore, he made an impact on the Uptown neighborhood.