Technologist, Jason Perlow, starts out writing the newsbreak -- "As the great Obi-Wan Kenobi once said, 'I felt a great disturbance in the Force...as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.'"

That is 9% of the total stores (7,087) that are closing. I guess it might not impact too many of us depending on where we live. Reminds me of an old quote my father used to say, "It's a recession when your neighbor loses HIS job, but a depression when you lose YOUR job." 600 coffee stores closing -- I guess it is times like these we wish America had decided not to throw all the tea in the harbor in 1773 and begin the 200 year commitment to being coffee drinkers instead of British tea drinkers. Now that we are addicted, our coffee sources are disappearing. (Hummm, I wonder if the British are still trying to get us back for dumping their tea and avoiding their taxes?)

However, even in these challenging times there is always good news for realtors.  At MovingHelp.com and our close partner, U-Haul, we know that roughly 40 million people move every year.  Like you, we want to help them during a time when they are transitioning. Regardless of how bleak things can feel sometimes -- remember --people today still need our services --- your services and my services.

(The inverted white eclipse is a result of my paranoia in using a Starbucks logo on my post.) 

 
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16 Comments on 600 Starbucks Are Closing -- And you thought the Boston Tea Party was a good idea.

This represents 12,000 people losing their jobs according to Starbucks. I think that this is impacting way too many of us!

07/21/2008 01:38 PM by John Guiney e-PRO, CBR (Keller Williams Realty)


John - Good point. No question those 12,000 people are hurting -- which hurts all of us.

07/21/2008 01:42 PM by Kevin McGourty - Moving Help - nationwide (MovingHelp.com)


Many people view Starbucks as Un-American, maybe this is why they are loosing support.  I personally have been addicted to their coffee for 16 years.  I wish I could get all that money back!

07/21/2008 01:45 PM by Edie Lomason, BA, ABR (Venice Florida - Horizon Realty)


Edie - Well, think of all the money we have been saving in taxes by drinking coffee and not British tea.  :)

07/21/2008 01:58 PM by Kevin McGourty - Moving Help - nationwide (MovingHelp.com)


We were just talking about the Boston Tea Party the other day.  I am going to have to use your comparison tonight at the dinner table.

07/21/2008 02:08 PM by Edie Lomason, BA, ABR (Venice Florida - Horizon Realty)


Edie - Sounds like you have some fun conversations at your dinner table.

07/21/2008 02:14 PM by Kevin McGourty - Moving Help - nationwide (MovingHelp.com)


Kevin~I will be playing Devil's Advocate on this one.......It shouldn't be hard for those Starbucks employees to replace their income.  It's not like they are trying to replace Engineer's salaries. 

Still not good news though.

07/22/2008 01:05 AM by Meridian Idaho Real Estate ~ Pam Pugmire (All Pro Realty)


Pam - True, but without a disclaimer I would check your coffee from Starbucks next time you order any. (Just in case any of them are on AR.)   Haha

07/22/2008 01:34 AM by Kevin McGourty - Moving Help - nationwide (MovingHelp.com)


I lived in Seattle when the phenomenon of Starbucks began.  I was in the specialty food industry to boot at the time and a real supporter of local cottage industry.  A true Starbucks addict.  I'll never forget my first visit to Scottsdale.  Not a Starbucks to be seen.  I had to go through a fast food drive through for a cup of coffee.  YUCK!

07/22/2008 09:43 AM by Kathy Anderson of KenMeadeRealty - Located in the heart of Sun City Grand (Ken Meade Realty)


Kathy - Ahh, the sweet aroma of nostalgia. Athough, yours wasn't so sweet once you hit AZ.  I am a little surprised Starbucks is closing as many stores as they are in what looks like the Seattle area.

07/22/2008 10:05 AM by Kevin McGourty - Moving Help - nationwide (MovingHelp.com)


Too bad that the stores closing are not Dunkin Donuts instead of Starbucks.  I agree that Starbucks may have had too many independent franchisees, but Dunkin (and Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy) literally places their franchises ACROSS the street from one and the other.  How can this be profitable?

07/22/2008 04:38 PM by WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Synergy


Martin - Humm., Piranha Marketing. I guess canabolism is one type of business model, although it doesn't exactly promote company loyalty. Loyalty begets loyalty. So does a lack of....   

07/22/2008 05:24 PM by Kevin McGourty - Moving Help - nationwide (MovingHelp.com)


Kevin, I'm not so surprised.  They opened way too many a few years back.  You could just about throw a rock in any direction from any corner and hit at least one Starbucks.  That's why their stock took a dive too.  Too many new store openings (worldwide) and not enough business to support them all.  But don't fret.  They'll still be around.  They just need to be a little more descriminating.

07/22/2008 07:25 PM by Kathy Anderson of KenMeadeRealty - Located in the heart of Sun City Grand (Ken Meade Realty)


Kathy - You are right. Blame Wall Street for rewarding bad behavior. I love the economic line I once heard -- "Insatiability is Not Sustainable."

07/22/2008 07:30 PM by Kathy


I had read an article that there was only one Starbucks store closing in Arizona and that was in Eloy.  I'm not surprised there are any more...

07/22/2008 10:46 PM by Michael Lange, e-Pro, GRI and Cheron Lange (John Hall and Associates)


Michael - Only one Starbuck store closing in AZ out of 344 stores? That's not too bad.

07/23/2008 10:47 AM by Kevin McGourty - Moving Help - nationwide (MovingHelp.com)


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Real Estate - Other: Kevin McGourty - Moving Help - nationwide  (MovingHelp.com)
Kevin McGourty - Moving Help - nationwide
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