This SLO County Starbucks is closed — but a new location is open down the street
The first Starbucks in Arroyo Grande has permanently shut its doors — but don’t worry, you’ll still be able to get your Grande Mocha Frappuccino fix nearby.
The Starbucks at 924 W. Branch St. near the Regal Cinemas movie theater quietly closed in mid-July. Its employees were transferred to a brand-new Starbucks on 1586 W. Branch St., in the parking lot of what used to be Kmart.
After sitting vacant for several months after the bankruptcy of the once king big-box store, the Branch Street development has been entirely overhauled, with a brand-new Planet Fitness, True Value hardware store and Grocery Outlet all opening earlier this year.
Unlike the previous location, the new Starbucks features a drive-through and nitro cold brew taps, according to a Starbucks spokesperson. It officially opened July 23.
The spokesperson told The Tribune that the decision to move the store was “carefully considered” and that all 27 of the store’s employees were transferred to the new location.
The representative did not disclose what would happen to the former location near the movie theater.
When the new coffee shop location was confirmed in January, it appeared to be destined to be the third Starbucks in Arroyo Grande, where a drive-through Starbucks opened on Grand Avenue in 2016. It is unclear when or why the company decided to transfer one of the locations rather than operate three, or if it always planned to transfer stores.
A request for further comment from the Starbucks spokesperson was not returned Wednesday afternoon.
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