This story has been updated with additional comments from Starbucks.
Cincinnati’s first unionized Starbucks, located in the heart of Downtown, is closing.
The impending closure of the 401 Vine St. location comes during the same week that Starbucks said it’s planning to cut more than 900 jobs and close hundreds of coffeehouses as part of a $1 billion restructuring effort, according to ABC News.
“We’ve made the incredibly difficult decision to close this Starbucks location by the end of the week,” reads a notice taped to the coffeeshop’s window. “We’re deeply grateful for the community that’s been built here.”
The notice did not provide a reason for the location’s closure, and it is unclear whether this closure is a direct result of the Sept. 25 announcement.
A Starbucks spokesperson declined to discuss the location’s closure, instead providing a link to Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol’s Sept. 25 memo. In that memo, he said factors such as financial performance and lease expirations led to the $1 billion restructuring effort.
The Downtown location joined Starbucks Workers United in June 2022. The organization said it plans to engage in effects bargaining for the employees at every impacted union store in an effort to have them placed in a different location.
“Yet again, we’re experiencing new policies and major decisions being made with zero barista input,” the organization said. “It has never been more clear why baristas at Starbucks need the backing of a union.”
The Starbucks spokesperson added that union representation wasn’t considered in the decision to close any the company’s stores.
Where is Starbucks closing in Ohio?
A spokesperson said by Sept. 28, the Starbucks app will show what Ohio locations will be closing
Starbucks has already said it plans to shutter three of its pickup-only locations in Ohio:
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati’s first unionized Starbucks to close after announcement of companywide layoffs
Reporting by Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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