As pumpkin spice season arrives, Starbucks culls Bay Area cafes

Riggers Loft, a winery and event space at 1325 Canal Blvd. in Richmond, has closed after a protracted legal battle with city authorities. The business lamented the situation in a Facebook post, emphasizing that even a legal victory would not have prevented eviction. Concurrently, Starbucks is in the process of closing multiple East Bay locations, including three stores in Oakland and additional sites in Berkeley and Fremont. A message to customers from the Solano Avenue store acknowledged the deep ties formed within the community and expressed gratitude for their support.

Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol stated that the closures are a result of identifying cafes that lack a path to financial stability. The company plans to eliminate approximately 500 stores across the U. S. Affected employees will receive severance or transfer opportunities. This wave of closures highlights the shifting landscape of local businesses amid economic challenges.