Starbucks to shut down 16 stores in US. Here's why

Taking action against safety concerns, Starbucks announced that it would permanently close down 16 of its existing cafes. Cities where these cafes are located, include Washington D.C., Oregon, Seattle, Philadelphia, Portland and Los Angeles. All the identified cafes would close down by the end of the month.
Announcing the shutdown, Starbucks stated that these locations had suffered multiple challenging incidents. These incidents make it difficult to continue operations, risking the workers' and customers' safety. So, the company has decided to close down the cafes and would open new ones that have safer conditions.
The company added that it looked forward to serving the local community. It encouraged its customers to visit the new stores, which can be found on the company's website or mobile application.

The identified cafes that are closing down are :

• Hollywood & Western
• Santa Monica & Westmount
• 1st & Los Angeles (Doubletree)
• Ocean Front Walk & Moss
• Hollywood & Vine, Hollywood
• 2nd & San Pedro, Los Angeles
• 4th & Morrison, Portland
• 10th & Chestnut, Philadelphia
• Gateway, Portland
• Roosevelt Square, Seattle
• 23rd & Jackson, Seattle
• Union Station Train Concourse
• E. Olive Way, Seattle
• Westlake Center, Seattle
• 505 Union Stn, Seattle
• Hwy 99 & Airport Rd, Everett

Reportedly, the company's decision to shut down its stores follows scenarios of customers using drugs in the cafes. The senior V.P.s of Starbucks' U.S. operations, Denise Nelson and Debbie Stroud, issued a public letter stating that creating a welcoming, safe and kind place is the company's top priority.
Furthermore, the company's CEO, Howard Schultz, issued a public letter to the partners stating that they needed to reinvent Starbucks for the future. The letter also highlighted the five-step programme called the 'Bold Moves' that would help the company change itself.
The letter also stated that in the present world, where isolation and division are common, Starbuck could operate in such a manner that knits the fabric of the neighbourhood. The company sought to protect, respect and include everyone to work together in creating a welcoming and safe environment.