SYRACUSE, NY (NCC NEWS) — The Starbucks located on 177 Marshall St., just steps away from Syracuse University is serving up their final cups of joe.
After 22 years of business, the coffee shop will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 23. Aaron Davis, a Syracuse resident says he’ll miss this location.
“It’s kind of sad,” Davis said. “We need more jobs in Syracuse.”
According to the Starbucks Media Relations Department, employees at this location can transfer their jobs to other Starbucks in the area.
“I come up here every day,” Davis said. “I like Dunkin’ Donuts’ food, but I like Starbucks’ coffee.”
While customers like Davis will miss Starbucks for their coffee, others are more concerned with the impact it has on their businesses.
John Vavalo, owner of J Michaels Shoes, says Starbucks customers have helped generate more sales.
“We will miss Starbucks,” Vavalo said. “We get a lot of traffic from Starbucks because all of the hospital employees would come up to Starbucks and walk by our store.”
But, Starbucks’ leaving Marshall Street is not the only change in the works.
“What’s happening is that Acropolis is moving and Popeyes Chicken is moving in and they need more electric power,” Vavalo said.
And while construction workers are working to prepare a new home for Popeyes, business owners like Vavalo say they are feeling the burden from all of the changes. “I’m a little upset because all of a sudden, the street is half blocked off and there’s nobody working,” Vavalo said.
According to a Starbucks employee, the lease is up on the storefront, but whether or not the shop will re-open at another location is still unclear.
However, a farewell party will take place on Thursday for loyal customers.
Anyone interested in saying a final goodbye to the employees and the Marshall Street location is welcomed to stop by between 3 and 5 p.m.
