Starbucks Shuts Capitol Hill Roastery, Union Fans Brew Rage
In a move that tastes bitterer than burnt espresso, Starbucks announced it will close 1% of its corporate stores, including its iconic Reserve Roastery on Capitol Hill, Seattleâthe first roastery launched in December 2014 and a unionized hotbed since April 2022. The company will also lay off 900 non-retail staff, because nothing says 'we care' like firing your coffee loversâ coworkers. The roastery, beloved for its luxurious tasting room and confusing menu of both alcoholic beverages and labor protests, was boarded up by Thursday after a heartfelt letter pledged support for its âCap Hill partnersâ amid ongoing union contract drama. Starbucks says union status wasnât why they slammed the door, but it sure looked like a caffeine-fueled touchĂ© to staff demanding better deals.
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Starbucks closes Capitol Hill's unionized roastery, proving no good deedâor decent labor contractâgoes unpunished. Coffee lovers, union fans, and fired baristas all now starring in the sequel: 'Brewed Anger: The Bitter End.'
Starbucks shutting a roastery famous for unionizing and protests is like canceling your most outspoken ex's subscriptionâpainful, petty, and brewed fresh daily.
Congrats Capitol Hill: your beloved Reserve Roastery just won 'Best Unionized Background for Protests' before abruptly going dark. Baristas get a break, coffee fans get a ghost town.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 9/25/2025 | Author: Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert
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