Could Starbucks closures hit Mendocino County?- company responds to questions
Editor’s Note- For updates on the Baldy Fire burning in the forest near the Mendocino-Humboldt County line, go to Baldy Fire. Fire naming is so idiotic as to be offensive. We beg Cal Fire to stop this foolishness and name fires for where they are or something that makes even a tiny bit of sense.
On Thursday morning, Starbucks made headlines with the announcement that it will close more than 100 stores and cut 1,000 jobs nationwide. Could this impact Mendocino County? Locals are wondering whether the Fort Bragg location (in the former Taco Bell building), the Willits store (in the old Jack in the Box), or the Ukiah outlet might be among those slated for closure.
Mendocinocoast.news reached out to Starbucks’ press relations department and learned that official answers won’t arrive until Sunday. However, one detail did emerge: store hours may be changing.
“Thanks for reaching out. I can share that the Starbucks app will be updated by Sunday with up-to-date hours of operation, including closures,” said a nice person named Sam Jeffries who responded to my email.
The chances it would be us are literally less than 1 percent. There are 18,300 Starbucks in the USA, where these closures are coming and more than 100 closures. There are more than 40,000 Starbucks worldwide.
Starbucks has been undergoing substantial changes under Brian Niccol, the former Chipotle CEO who took the helm in 2024. His “Back to Starbucks” initiative aims to reconnect the brand with its original café culture. Among the changes: a shift toward ceramic cups, signaling a move away from disposable culture and toward a more sustainable, sit-down experience.
“I would refer you directly to our CEOs letter for quotes: https://about.starbucks.com/press/2025/message-from-brian-an-important-update/“
“During the review, we identified coffeehouses where we’re unable to create the physical environment our customers and partners expect, or where we don’t see a path to financial performance, and these locations will be closed,” the CEO told employees in the above.
Both the old Burger King and Taco Bell buildings on South Main Street shuttered in the 1990s amid a long-forgotten scandal. The former Burger King, located in the 700 block of South Main/State Route 1, first became home to the Chinese restaurant New Best Buffet and now houses La Palma Mexican Restaurant. Tenants have faced challenges over the years due to the buildings’ original low-cost construction. The current Starbucks sits at 576 South Main Street, in the repurposed Taco Bell building. A newly built Taco Bell now stands between Starbucks and La Palma, marking a fresh chapter for fast food on Fort Bragg’s main drag.
The Fort Bragg Starbucks opened in 2005 in the former Taco Bell building and underwent extensive remodeling just last year. Its arrival sparked protests from localvores and small business advocates concerned about corporate encroachment on Fort Bragg’s Main Street. Despite the controversy, Starbucks has stood out among chains for offering employee benefits and higher-than-average pay. In recent years, however, the company has faced a wave of unionization efforts across the country, reshaping its labor landscape.
Starbucks has long faced pushback from supporters of local, independent coffee shops wherever it expanded. Still, the company set the pace for rapid growth, often opening stores just a mile apart in many communities. While we don’t yet have specific information about which locations will close, it’s reasonable to assume that areas with high store density may be more vulnerable than rural or small-town outposts like those in Mendocino County.
In 2024, the Willits Starbucks relocated to 788 South Main Street, taking over the former Foster’s Freeze and Jack in the Box site after extensive remodeling. Previously, there was also a Starbucks kiosk inside the Safeway across the street. According to the company’s online store locator, that location is still listed as open—we confirmed its current status of open this morning with the Safeway customer service desk.
Of the three communities, Fort Bragg boasts the most competitive coffee landscape—anchored by its hometown hero, Thanksgiving Coffee. Known for its deep local roots and commitment to community, Thanksgiving Coffee regularly donates fresh brews to local events and gatherings. You’ll find their beans at Harvest Market, often considered the best bargain for fresh, locally roasted coffee.
Beyond Thanksgiving, Fort Bragg’s café culture thrives with options like Headlands Coffeehouse on Laurel Street, Zappas Coffee, and the Mendocino Cookie Company inside the Company Store. A new independent coffee spot is also slated to open just north of the Depot Mall on Main Street, adding to the mix. On the south end of town, A Frame Espresso offers a convenient drive-thru just past the Noyo Bridge. Add in a variety of local breakfast joints—and one national chain—and it’s clear: Fort Bragg takes its coffee seriously.
According to Starbucks’ online store locator, Ukiah hosts three locations—one on the north end of town, one near the hospital, and one on the south end. While Ukiah has fewer dedicated coffee houses than Fort Bragg, it’s home to Black Oak Coffee Roasters on State Street, where the aroma of freshly roasted beans elevates the entire experience. Gram’s Coffee House, located at 1610 State Street, adds another layer to Ukiah’s modest but flavorful coffee scene.
Willits, meanwhile, punches above its weight with standout spots like Brickhouse Coffee, beloved for its rich brews and fiercely loyal following.
Starbucks, for all its reach, is often favored for its convenience and creative drink options rather than the coffee itself—at least among local aficionados. For coffee purists, brands like Thanksgiving Coffee and Peet’s still reign supreme. In communities like Fort Bragg, where coffee culture is deeply rooted in local flavor, sustainability, and civic pride, the corporate model faces stiff competition—not just in taste, but in values. Whether or not Mendocino County’s Starbucks locations survive the company’s latest round of cuts, one thing is clear: the local love for a good cup of joe isn’t going anywhere.
