When our local Starbucks closed its doors on September 26, many people in the community had strong opinions about it. It has been open for nearly three years since its opening in 2022, due to underperformance and reduced operating hours, it’s part of one percent of Starbucks closures around the country.
Sophomore Tayla Roberts said she was devastated and cried when she found out. She thinks it could help local coffee shops, but it’s a loss for people who loved Starbucks and counted on their consistent drinks. While she will miss it, she’s also & “100% excited” to visit other towns to get her Starbucks. She hopes that a Chick-fil-a will replace it sooner rather than later.
Junior Emma Knight was also surprised. “I thought it got a lot of business,” she said. But she believes it only affects people who went there regularly. When asked if she would miss it, she said, “No.” As for what should go in the empty building, her vote goes to “A freaking Wendy’s,”which is what other community members also said on a “This is Really Livingston” Facebook post.
Junior Natalie Hoffman said she “didn’t really like Starbucks” and that she enjoys supporting the local coffee shops more. She said it would mainly affect the more corporate workers who liked to work there, and also the employees. Natalie stated tourist season will definitely look different next summer. She wants a chicken restaurant or something “different for Montana” to go into the building.
Carlie Bober, a junior, was sad when the coffee shop closed, being her go-to place for lunch, she had to switch to a local coffee shop, Coffee Crossing. She said she will miss her Pumpkin Cream Chai the most along with Starbucks’s chocolate croissant. Along with Natalie she hopes a chicken place will go into the building, like Raising Canes or Wing Stop.
The closing of Starbucks has brought out different thoughts and emotions. Some see it as a chance for local businesses to grow. Others are already hoping for a new chain to take its place. Whether it’s another coffee shop, a Wendy’s, or store to get essentials, the building’s future was a huge topic in the halls of Park high.
It’s clear that this Starbucks had a big impact on the people who went there. For many, it was more than just a coffee shop—it was a part of their routine, and highlight of their day. To others, it was just another coffee shop.
