By: Meyer Wolfsheim

After nearly 30 years of operation, the Starbucks located at 13-25 Astor Place in the East Village has closed its doors. The café, once known for its chaotic atmosphere and being a haven for the homeless, quietly shut down on Sunday evening, NY Post first reported

Customers who frequented the Starbucks have expressed a mix of emotions regarding its closure. Some appreciated the café’s large, cozy space, which served as a venue for conversations, work, and even dates. Katia Jimenez, 24, reflected on her memories of the café, recalling the numerous times she visited for coffee, conversations, and even a few unsuccessful Tinder dates, when speaking to the NY Post

Diana Heckman, 41, mentioned her preference for this location despite living closer to the Washington Square Park Starbucks, emphasizing the comfort and spaciousness of the Astor Place location.

The closure comes as a surprise to many, given Starbucks’ reputation as a major corporate chain. The NY Post spoke to several locals

Erik Aksakova, 29, shared his disbelief over the reasons for the closure. A barista reportedly told him that the location was closing due to high rent, prompting Aksakova to question how even Starbucks could find the rent unsustainable. Despite the claims about rent, a representative from ASG Equities, the property owner, refuted this, stating to the Post that they had offered a lease extension at the same rent. They expressed disappointment at Starbucks’ decision to leave and noted that the high-traffic location would likely attract other community-oriented retailers.

Unionization efforts at the location have also been a topic of discussion. The Astor Place Starbucks unionized in 2022, and some have speculated whether this contributed to the closure. While Starbucks denied that unionization played a role, stating that they evaluate all stores equally, there is a broader context of tension surrounding unionized Starbucks locations. In 2022 and 2023, the company faced scrutiny for closing several unionized stores, including all three in Ithaca, New York. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has alleged that Starbucks closed 23 stores to discourage unionizing efforts. An NLRB judge recently found Starbucks in violation of labor laws at a unionized New Orleans store. Despite these controversies, Starbucks and Workers United, the national organizing group, have reportedly made “real progress” and continue to engage in bargaining sessions.

Starbucks plans to transfer the 17 employees from the Astor Place store to other locations, working with Workers United to ensure a smooth transition for all affected employees. The company is committed to providing support during this change, including offering transfers or severance packages where applicable.

The Astor Place location had become infamous for its challenging atmosphere, often attracting homeless individuals and panhandlers. Employees sometimes had to intervene when individuals overstayed their welcome or caused disturbances. Dave, a 28-year-old homeless man from Boston, remarked that the police would only intervene if a situation became dangerous, he told the Post Despite these challenges, the café was a significant part of the community, and its closure adds to the growing number of vacant commercial spaces in Manhattan, which have doubled since the pandemic.