When Starbucks announced last week that it is closing 600 stores and laying off 12,000 employees, the company did not disclose which stores would be shuttered (got to get those lease buyouts finalized). However, that hasn’t stopped word from filtering out into the Web on the location of the shuttered stores. The Seattle Times has already generated this Google map containing a large number of the anticipated store closings.
However, the question that is on most Houstonians’ minds has not been answered. Will Lewis Black’s "End of the Universe" cease to exist after Starbucks is finished closing stores?
This clip includes video of the two stores as Black comments on the end of the universe on The Daily Show (H/T Life is a Thrill):
Update: Here is the full list of the stores that will be closing.
Hey, Tom, I found the Daily Show clip of Louis Black’s “End of the Universe.” Naturally, my post links back to yours. 🙂
http://www.lifeisathrill.com/post/41686732/houstons-clear-thinkers-which-starbucks-stores
Tom,
You have the a map of the intersection of W. Gray and Shepherd where they have a Starbucks across the street from a Starbucks. I talked with someone from Starbucks to ask why they have one across the street from the other.
The original was the smaller one on the south side of W. Gray. The location was maxed out as to how many customers could be served and people were beginning to complain as to the level of service. The decision was made to open the larger location across the street to meet demand in the area (there was no room to expand at the original location).
Supposedly, the smaller location was generating $26k/wk profit. When the new location opened, the smaller location lost some business but recovered. From what the guy told me the larger location on the north side clears $46k/wk and the smaller location still clears $21k/wk. I’m not sure the numbers are accurate but both stores seem to be doing well.