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Local Coffee Shop Prepares to Grow its Business Local Coffee Shop Prepares to Grow its Business

By Adam Pankowski

ADAM PANKOWSKI: Yes, The Starbucks right behind me will no longer be in use in two days. This may be one of 600 Starbucks stores to close this year alone and one local economist says massive changes to the retail industry are on the horizon.
KIM DERUBY: And the retail industry has certainly experienced radical changes.
PANKOWSKI: Starbucks on Marshall Street is now one of two stores on Marshall to close within the past year leaving only notes behind for its patrons.
As national chains close down, local economist Kim DeRuby says the window opens for local business to get back to taking over the market.
DERUBY: These chain closures are hopefully, if stores, local stores play it right, um will actually ultimately lead to an increase in sales as they capture, as they capture the sales from these closures.
PANKOWSKI: As it is currently unknown as to why Starbucks is closing, local coffee shop Salt City Coffee is preparing to take over the majority of coffee sales on Marshall. Staying afloat through the pandemic, it now looks to expand its customer base with its unique and local touch to coffee. Now, the support local business trend started just a couple years ago and as these local businesses start to come back to life, not only are they surviving, but they’re thriving and adding locations to other parts of the Syracuse area. Salt City Coffee has added a fourth location that’ll open this year as they continue the renaissance of local businesses thriving after the worst of the pandemic has hit. One employee, Chloe Flores says they’re ready to welcome in all new customers as they look forward to a massive boost in profits.
CHLOE FLORES: Even within the next few days, we are going to have a huge influx of activity. Um, should be interesting, but ultimately, like, I think that’s what we’re prepared for that.
PANKOWSKI: Flores also went on to tell me that Salt City Coffee will be searching for more employees due to their belief of a massive increase in foot traffic. As for Starbucks, it will be holding a community event on Thursday from 3-5 in the afternoon. Reporting live from Marshall Street, Adam Pankowski, NCC News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) —  On Thursday, the Starbucks on Marshall Street will be permanently closing its doors.  Starbucks on Marshall Street is now one of two stores on the street to close within the past year, leaving only notes behind for its patrons.

As national chains close down, local economist Kim DeRuby says the window opens for local business to get back to taking over the market.

“These chain closures are hopefully, if stores, local stores play it right, will actually ultimately lead to an increase in sales as they capture, as they capture the sales from these closures,” DeRuby said.

This closure may be one of 600 store closures for Starbucks around the country this year alone. This closure also means that there will now only be one stand-alone Starbucks store inside the city limits, which is located on West Jefferson Street.

It is still currently up in the air as to why the Marshall Street store closed so abruptly, but one of its competitors near Marshall Street is preparing for much more business now.

The Salt City Coffee shop is right down the road from Starbucks, and this locally owned shop will be searching for more employees to help combat a possible increase in foot traffic. Not only are they prepping for more business on Marshall Street, but they also have just announced a new location in Fayetteville.

One of their employees, Chloe Flores says Syracuse has always been about the birth and growth of local businesses, so Starbucks leaving Marshall Street gives them another opportunity to grow.

“There, there’s happening happenings. And it’s beautiful, and there’s effort, and initiative, and there’s care taken to like revitalize our community,” Flores said. “Local businesses thriving again post-pandemic is what this city is all about.”

Starbucks plans to have a community closing event on Thursday afternoon from 3-5 p.m. As for Salt City Coffee, their Fayetteville location is still currently in the planning process.

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