Starbucks Chooses Profit Over Community

Seattle -- There is a bustling coffeehouse on 15^th Ave E. in Capitol Hill that has always been geared toward the community. It's a place where the young, old, rich and poor commence to chat about all things Seattle and beyond. We know each others' children, we rejoice in accomplishments and share burdens alike. The company owning this coffeehouse was once structured in the roots of community but something happened along the way that turned it into a place of commercial business, tossing aside what once made it so special. As this article goes to print, Howard Schultz and his team at Starbucks are putting plans in the works to close down a store that has been a staple in the Capitol Hill community since 1995.

Capitol Hill residents Mark Toce, 49, and his brother Charles Toce, 63, begin every day from Monday to Friday by enjoying a cup of coffee and an orange juice at the Starbucks on 15^th Ave E. Sometimes they taste the new pastries, but mostly they delight in grabbing a sandwich and their beverage of choice and making a day out of it. It is their home away from home where their friends get together and mingle about the goings-on in the city, the world and everything in between. They know the employees by their first names and every person that walks in the door is a welcome addition to the group. Instantly, strangers become friends and lifelong acquaintances are discovered.

The Starbucks located on 15^th Ave E. is not simply just "another store". It is, in fact, a community within a community. Howard Schultz has stated that he is back in the President's corporate office to make sure that Starbucks returns to its roots. Why, then, is he deciding to uproot the one community store left in this city?

If the decision to close the 15^th Ave E. store is simply a profit vs. loss issue, please keep in mind that there have been many under-qualified employees put in leadership roles at this location over the past 10+ years. You cannot blame it on location or money. If it was run correctly from the beginning, maybe the outcome would've been different and this decision could've been avoided. I urge Howard and his team to take a look at changing this right now instead of cutting off their nose to spite their face. Maybe the silver lining to the history of this store is that it took it almost closing its doors to see that all it needed to succeed was someone knowledgeable and wise enough to make it a success.

On a personal note, I have lived in Seattle for roughly three years as a transplant from the East Coast. I feel very passionate about the decision to close the store needing to be re-examined. This is too important of a community issue on Capitol Hill and, especially, the 15^th Ave area, not to have someone write and voice their concerns and sadness. I live in the area and I am speaking as a community member. I am speaking as one of many that will be without a second home and without friendship and coffee should Starbucks close the doors on our wonderful nook on 15^th Ave E.

For over thirteen years and throughout the highs and lows, customers at this Capitol Hill Starbucks like Mark and Charlie have weathered the storm and been loyal to their favorite company. This is not a monetary issue, but, rather, a community issue.

Starbucks is not just closing "another store". It is closing a community.

On behalf of the residents and locals that frequent and love the Starbucks on 15^th Ave E, I urge Howard to stand up for the community and keep this beloved Starbucks open for business.