A lot of Upper West Siders are getting pretty frustrated over their local Starbucks being closed. Yes, there are more important problems in the world, but to some, especially those who are in a hurry and need a caffeine fix, seeing these locations locked up has caused great distress.
“My day is ruined every time I walk by,” said Upper West Sider Eric. “I keep checking to see if they have reopened to no avail. You would think, they made it through the pandemic … and now they close on us? I’m annoyed.”
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The two locations, one at 81st and Broadway and the other at 81st and Columbus, have signs up that say they’re temporarily closed, but don’t offer further details on why – or when they will reopen.
People continue to march to the stores to stare blankly through the windows with eyes of desperation. A whole bunch of folks even tried to open the doors, even though the lights are clearly out.
“I’ve heard they have staffing issues,” said an Upper West Side Starbucks customer named Gene. “There are many places that are having trouble finding enough staff to keep regular hours.” Staffing issues have been to blame for shutting down other Starbucks locations in the city, but a call to corporate debunked this for the two Upper West Side stores. A company representative told us renovations are taking place at the two UWS stores, though they were unable to provide reopening timelines.
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“I was told that there were inspection issues at the 81st Street location,” said another local. “This was told to me by an employee at another Starbucks location. Kind of gross,” she said.
We called the 86th Street Starbucks and an employee told us they’ve seen an uptick in new regulars due to the nearby closures. Neither corporate nor the employee we spoke with at 86th Street could confirm when either of the two 81st Street spots would reopen. One local said they heard that they would reopen around Thanksgiving.
Others don’t seem as bothered by the closure. “It’s not a big loss, find a better coffee spot,” said local coffee drinker Joe. “Personally, I think the coffee is terrible and prefer other local options.”
Let’s face it: We go to Starbucks because they’re there, not because they’re awesome.
And until about 4-5 years ago, one could sit in them and use the WiFi for hours. But the company has rebuilt several locations to make long term sitting less easy.
Sucker.
Jamie,
Your comment makes no sense. And nowhere have I even said that I use Starbucks for any reason.
The last time was buying coffee in 2014, in Hoboken.
And the prior time was using the bathroom in the Greenwich Avenue location in 2008.
I believe I had some Starbucks coffee in 2005 before that.
Quite the non-story, yeesh.
Un-caffeinated white people’s problems.
Sheesh, can’t walk another 5 blocks to the next burnt-bean bodega?
That 81st street and Broadway location, which opened in the early mid-1990s, was always a dubious proposition.
Zabar’s (which has a much much better cafe) is effectively across the boulevard. Then for the last few years, NYC Starbucks have been discouraging sitting for hours in the store/shop. And with the coming of Covid 19, Starbucks NYC stupidly hasn’t put chairs out on sidewalks–even Zabar’s put few tables outside on the Broadway sidewalk.
At first I thought this story was in The Onion.
“My day is ruined every time I walk by,” cinched it.
How about if people forgo Starbucks and walk a block or so to a Locally owned coffee place?
If there is anything “special” about Starbucks, it’s something negative.
Right on, Mark!!
Mark:
Do tell. Which coffee shops do you think are “locally owned?” And even if there are a few (because many of the ones I am guessing you think are “locally owned” are nothing of the sort), doesn’t quality of the product still count? Many of us like (or even love) Starbucks coffee.
BTW, since this article was written, 81/Columbus has been opened for several weeks, and 81/Broady is undergoing major renovations, and it still expected to open in the Fall.
Such a privileged white people luxury problem.
Get a nespreso machine
Have you ever been in a Starbucks?? The clients are way more diverse than boutique local shops. I bet ur a white rich person sipping your 10 latte. People commenting “white problems” prob don’t go to Starbucks and are white.
Irving farm Latte is 4.75 vs 4.25 for Starbucks. Sounds like a good deal to me for a much better product from a locally owned business.
Walk 2 block to Irving Farm on 70th St. They have much better coffee!
That’s 79th St!
I don’t know about the Col/81st location, but the Bway/81st location was closed for repairs and upgrades. I know the staff well, and that was what I was told. And watching the work that has been going on inside, it seems perfectly in line with that. My bet is that the Bway/81st location will re-open shortly. As for Col/81, that is anyone’s guess.
It should be noted that three other locations all closed – permanently – above 96th Street, in the last year or so. As well, the one at 67th/Col closed a few years ago, though there is a fabulous new vegetarian cafe there now (Le Botaniste). The only “original” ones still open on the UWs are 86/Col, 81/Bway (once they re-open), 75/Bway, 71/Bway, 63/Bway and 61/Col. (Yes, I spend far too much time at Starbucks! lol)
Oh man. Rough deal. If only the upper west side had thousands of local coffee shops which serve WAY BETTER coffee.
Maybe these people can swing by McDonalds and get a giant $1 coffee instead.
It’s because they are getting the floors remodeled.