The last drop: Iconic Starbucks in NYC closes after 30 years in business

After nearly 30 years, one of the most iconic Starbucks in NYC has officially closed its doors — allegedly due to a “jacked up” rent increase.

The Astor Place Starbucks in Greenwich Village poured its last cup of brew on Monday. Located on Astor Place at Lafayette Street, the ever-popular coffee shop opened on March 30, 1995. At the time, it was the largest Starbucks to open in the city. 

At 4,000 square feet, it featured floor-to-ceiling windows, a spacious seating area, and of course, the chain’s signature menu of various hot and cold coffee beverages and treats. 

Management of the local java joint said “the landlords jacked up the rent so astronomically high,” even a corporation like Starbucks could not afford it, according to an article in the neighborhood news website, EV Grieve. 

Right now, it is unclear how much Starbucks was paying in rent, or how much of an increase the company faced. 

Jobs at other Starbucks locations

The Astor Place manager, according to EV Grieve, noted that employees at the shop were offered relocation options with other Starbucks locations. Workers at the village location unionized in 2022. 

A spokesperson for Starbucks said the company is working with the union, Workers United, to “collaborate on next steps,” which include the transfer options for the 17 union workers at the location. 

“As a standard course of business, we continually evaluate our store portfolio, using various criteria to ensure we are meeting the needs of our customers,” the spokesperson said. “We do not take the decision to close stores lightly.”

The company could not confirm, however, if high rents were the reason for the closure.

In November 2023, workers at Starbucks shops across the country, including Astor Place, went on strike demanding contract negotiations, more staffing and better schedules. 

A sign of the times: Chain restaurants failing

Although the city is still overflowing with Starbucks locations, the closure of such a busy shop is testament economically challenging times for businesses, individuals and families. Some major corporations have moved out of the city for economic reasons, including lower taxes and more affordable housing, as noted by Bloomberg. 

Meanwhile the city, and the nation, is still seeing a trend of major chain stores shuttering franchises or closing up shop altogether. 

Rite Aid continues to struggle after it filed for bankruptcy last year. It has since closed hundreds of stores across the country. Red Lobster has also closed restaurants throughout the country, although the chain’s three NYC locations — 5 Times Square and 455 Gateway Drive, Brooklyn, and 20290 Bartow Ave., Bronx — remain open. 

“We all grew up” at the Astor Place Starbucks

For years, the Astor Place Starbucks was a melting pot of customers that included students from NYU, commuters coming or going from the 6 train stations, shoppers stopping in for a quick pick-me-up, and really anyone in the bustling trendy neighborhood who wanted a fancy coffee. 

New Yorkers got nostalgic on X (formerly Twitter) talking about mainstay Starbucks, sharing stories from their childhood and college years.

“I remember when we had to do a practice piece to learn the cameras in my freshmen NYU class, and I made a ‘doc’ about the dueling Starbucks on Astor Place and across the way at Saint Marks,” one X user said. “R.I.P to the ‘winner’ LOL.”

Another coffee talker went down memory lane by posting, “We all grew up at Astor Place Starbucks, sorry if you can’t understand that!!!”

Area frap fans and coffee connoisseurs should not despair too much, as there are a number of other nearby Starbucks locations, including:

• Broadway & Bond – 665 Broadway 
• NYU 4th & Washington Sq E – 45 West Fourth St.
• 15th & 3rd – 145 Third Ave.