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Employees of the Starbucks on Route 309 in Shavertown have told customers the store that opened in September will be closing. The company announced July 1 that it would close 600 underperforming company-owned stores by the end of the year. On Monday the Starbucks Web site listed 50 stores that would close by the end of July, none of them in Pennsylvania. The Starbucks along Highland Park Boulevard in Wilkes-Barre Township, opened in 2006, will remain open, but stores in Bloomsburg and Stroudsburg will close, a Shavertown store employee told customers. Starbucks coffee shops in Barnes & Noble bookstores in the Arena Hub Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Township, and in downtown Wilkes-Barre are not company-owned.

S. John Wilkin/the times leader

The Times Leader reported on Tuesday that the Starbucks in Dallas will close. The Starbucks location opened less than one year ago. I can’t help but wonder how many, or how few, people will miss it.

As a reporter in the Back Mountain, having a Starbucks was great. I have conducted over five interviews there. The staff was always OK with it and even allowed us to take photographs of people inside and outside the building.

What I dreaded about each interview was that I had to dish out about $4 to purchase a beverage. Yes, Starbucks’ Double Chocolaty Chip Frappucino is a sweet delight. And I’m dying to try the new Vivanno Nourishing Blends in Banana Chocolate and Orange Mango Banana. They are supposed to be full of protein and fiber.

How often did I stop in the Dallas Starbucks just because I needed a pick-me-up? Once. If I want coffee at work, I visit the much cheaper Curry Donuts across the street. When a severe Starbucks craving kicks in, I go to the Starbucks in Barnes and Noble at the Arena Hub Plaza. That way I can drink coffee and skim a book to see how much I really like it.
But that doesn't change the fact I liked the Dallas Starbucks. I was able to get work done and enjoy their products. However, I never understood why thet didn’t have a drive-through. It certainly would have been possible. Nevertheless, that place appeared to do just as well as any other Starbucks I’ve visited outside of a big city. Let’s face it, if Starbucks wants to survive in the Wyoming Valley, they should be in the Back Mountain. It’s no secret many wealthy people reside there.
 
I just got off the phone with a woman who I’ll be interviewing next week. She wanted to meet in a mutual place. I suggested Starbucks in Dallas. I’m really going to miss that place, $4 drinks and all.

 

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