Starbucks Canada closing some B.C. locations

Starbucks Canada has decided to close a number of its coffee shops in British Columbia as part of a broader restructuring plan for the company, according to a statement released to Global News. The announcement reveals that Starbucks will be closing 250 stores across North America, with the closure of several locations in the province.

Most of these stores are set to close on Saturday, September 26, marking the end of their last day of operations. Starbucks has not provided a complete list of all the affected locations, but has encouraged concerned customers to comment below if they know of any other B.C. stores that may be closing.

The decision to close these stores comes as Starbucks aims to revamp its retail strategy by creating more inviting and longer-lasting customer experiences. To achieve this goal, Starbucks has opened over 18,000 company-operated and licensed coffeehouses in North America, with 60 net openings reported in the third quarter. The company also plans to complete at least 1,500 coffeehouse upgrades by the end of the fiscal year 2026.

These renovations include adding artwork, greenery, better seating, bringing back ceramic cups and glassware, expanding access to power outlets, and reintroducing condiment bars.

Despite these efforts, Starbucks has identified approximately 1% of its coffeehouses as locations that do not have a viable path to delivering the customer experience or long-term performance it expects. These stores will be the ones closing in B.C. and elsewhere in North America. Starbucks has assured customers that affected locations will display signs notifying them of the closure this coming weekend, ensuring they are well-informed about the changes.