More Corporate Woes

Starbucks announced on Wednesday that they are….

- Closing 300 stores
- Eliminating 6,000 store workers
and
- Laying off an additional 700 corporate jobs

It was only a matter of time! In some cities (*cough cough NEW YORK CITY cough cough*), there are more than one Starbucks within one or two blocks of each other!

More Than 500 Starbucks Stores Closing

Starbucks Corp. declared yesterday that it will close 500 more locations in the U.S. and cut 7% of its work force. The Seattle-based coffee giant is continuing to see weak sales as high gas prices and other pressures on consumer spending prompt Americans to cut back on extras. No one can afford to pay five dollars for a coffee anymore!

Approximately 12,000 full-time and part-time retail positions will be lost due to the closures of these locations. This is a pretty big hit for Starbucks in the U.S. but they are looking for a light at the end of the tunnel. They admit plans to expand abroad, where markets are more promising.

The Newest Starbucks Complaint

Venti. Grande. Non-fat. Latte. Triple Shot. It's an exact science these days to go up to your local Starbucks counter and order the perfect drink! We get it, it's complicated! In the news recently is the newest word to add to the list, skinny. In this case, "skinny" means nonfat milk and sugar-free syrup, so you're getting fewer calories in your drink.

Some are saying that the use of this word is "politically incorrect," and can hurt people's self-esteem. "Should we start calling drinks with 2% or whole milk and regular syrups "Fat" or "Obese?" stated a Starbucks barista voicing her concern on a blog. We're not sure what to think. Do you think Starbucks should be a bit more sensitive?

Gloria Estefan is coming to Starbucks!

Gloria Estefan Is Going To Starbucks In The Bronx on Wednesday, September 26.

To Visit Her Fans and Sign Autographs In Support New CD - 90 Millas

On Wednesday September 26th, Gloria Estefan will go to her fans in the Bronx for an in-store autograph signing at Starbucks in the Kingsbride Plaza (225th and Broadway, Bronx NY). She will be signing copies of her new Spanish language CD - 90 Millas – available on Burgundy Records/Sony BMG on September 18th.

The autograph signing will last from 5:00pm - 6:00pm.

An in-store in NYC's predominately Hispanic borough of The Bronx is a natural choice as 90 Millas pays tribute to Gloria's Latin heritage with a collection of newly recorded original Spanish language songs celebrating Cuban music and culture. The album also pays homage to the most influential and universally respected Latin musicians of the past fifty years. Some of the artists joining Estefan on this album include Arturo Sandoval, Andy Garcia, Chocolate, India, Cachao, Papo Lucca, Johnny Pacheco, Generoso and many more.

“90 Millas” features the #1 hit single ‘No Llores’ which has topped the Latin Billboard chart for two consecutive weeks.