Starbucks announces store closures, layoffs
Administrator | Sep 25, 2025 | Comments 3
Picton’s Starbucks is expected to be among an undetermined number of stores in North America set to close as its new CEO states many locations are falling sort of financial performance targets. (Update: A call to the store confirmed it will close Saturday.)
Starbucks Canada has confirmed the news but did not say how many Canadian employees will be affected, or which Canadian locations will close.
An email to Countylive states employees at the Picton Starbucks, at George Wright Boulevard, were called into a meeting Thursday afternoon by their district and regional managers who first asked them to shut the doors and ask customers to leave.
“The bosses then informed the workers that Starbucks Head office will be shutting down this location permanently as of closing Saturday, Sept. 27th,” the email states. “Employees were bewildered some crying, not knowing what to do. The bosses informed them that they would get their official notice by email.”
Another person stated they were scheduled to work into October, and now Saturday is their last shift.
The Picton location opened in 2022.
Brian Niccol, Chairman and CEO, of the Seattle-based company, states the operations were under review in North America.
“During the review, we identified coffeehouses where we’re unable to create the physical environment our customers and partners expect, or where we don’t see a path to financial performance, and these locations will be closed.
He expects the locations will be reduced by about one per cent in fiscal year 2025, after accounting for openings and closings – ending with nearly 18,300 total Starbucks locations in Canada and the U.S.
Niccol stated partners in coffeehouses scheduled to close are being notified this week. Severance, support packages and some transfers, are being offered.
The company states it is also reducing its non-retail head count and expenses – eliminating some 900 current non-retail partner roles and closing open positions.
“I know these decisions impact our partners and their families, and we did not make them lightly,” states Niccol. “I believe these steps are necessary to build a better, stronger and more resilient Starbucks…”
Filed Under: Local News
To be quite honest, I never frequented Starbucks. I patronize our many other quality coffee options in Picton. I prefer to support locally-owned businesses.
With this closure and the mushroom factory closure in Wellington, we have a lot of people in PEC hurting right now. I’m so sorry to hear of more job losses. Shire Hall is so busy trying to create housing, much of which is far from affordable – how about trying to attract businesses that can provide full time jobs, with a living wage and benefits?
So basically, Starbucks knows the number of people this will affect, however the bottom dollar is all that matters. Thank you to those who supported the Picton employees, who worked their butts off while the store was open just to be kicked down when the company decided they’re not making it enough money.