Starbucks is restructuring and closing multiple locations in Vancouver

Starbucks is Closing Multiple Locations Across Vancouver as Part of a Major $1-billion North American Restructuring Plan

Starbucks closes several Vancouver stores amid a $1B restructuring focused on better store experiences and profitability, causing surprise among staff and customers.

1. Karalee Greer & WBN News Vancouver & WBN News Kitsilano

Oct 11, 2025 - 1 min read

By Karalee Greer | WBN News – Kitsilano | October 11, 2025 Subscription to WBN and being a Contributor is Free.

Starbucks is closing multiple locations across Vancouver as part of a major $1-billion North American restructuring plan aimed at focusing resources on stores that can provide the atmosphere and financial performance the brand desires. Among the affected Vancouver stores are 785 Denman St., 2840 Bentall St., and 2035 Yukon St. These locations permanently closed around the weekend of September 27-28, 2025, leaving staff and customers surprised by the sudden announcements. Closures in Metro Vancouver Global News and Starbucks closures in BC

CEO Brian Niccol explained that the company conducted a comprehensive review and identified shops unable to deliver the "warm and welcoming space" Starbucks envisions or those without a clear path to profitability. The closures, estimated to reduce Starbucks’ North American store count by about 1% in fiscal 2025, are intended to optimize retail locations while upgrading approximately 1,000 others over the coming year.

Employees were given minimal notice, roughly two days, triggering significant frustration among staff who felt the process lacked adequate support, especially regarding transfers to other stores. Starbucks has offered severance packages and rehire options but some employees voiced their disappointment publicly on social media platforms such as TikTok.

Affected customers are encouraged to visit other nearby Starbucks stores that remain open. The closures also coincide with other major corporate moves, including the shuttering of Starbucks' Capitol Hill Reserve Roastery in Seattle earlier in the year, signaling a broader strategic shift for the company.

For more detailed information and a full list of closed stores in B.C., see the Vancouver Sun’s report. Vancouver Sun list of Starbucks closures

Editor: Karalee Greer Subscription to WBN and being a Contributor is Free.

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