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5 Seattle Starbucks locations to close
The closures comes as CEO Brian Niccol continues his mission to overhaul the company.
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and his wife announced they’ve moved to Florida for their "retirement phase," leaving Washington state after nearly half a century.
Schultz shared the news in a post on LinkedIn, recounting how he, his wife Sheri, and their golden retriever Jonas, made the move from New York City to Seattle 44 years ago.
WA Senate passes 'millionaires tax', advances to governor's desk
The "millionaires tax" is now headed to the desk of Governor Bob Ferguson for a final signature.
"We were starting a new life," Shultz wrote, recalling how Sheri would be their primary income earner as he started a new job "at a place called Starbucks" in September 1982.
Schultz would later become the coffee company's CEO, serving in the position from 1986 to 2000, from 2008 to 2017, and as its interim CEO from 2022 to 2023.
STARBUCKS TO OPEN NEW OFFICE IN NASHVILLE, MOVE SOME JOBS FROM SEATTLE
"The spirit of continuing forward has long underpinned our approach to life—in business, in philanthropy and most importantly, as a family," Schultz wrote. "For those of you who know us well, we have entered the ‘retirement’ phase of our lives. (A term we are both just getting used to.)"
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz testifies before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. The Committee will …
Schultz added that he and Sheri moved to Miami, where they were enjoying the sunshine and being close to their kids on the East Coast as they raised their own families.
"We will be forever grateful for the memories made in Seattle and the relationships built along the way," Schultz wrote. "To the family, friends and partners who made Seattle our home for so many years, thank you."
STARBUCKS' TURNAROUND PLAN SHOWS PROMISE IN US AS SALES GROWTH RETURNS FOR FIRST TIME IN 2 YEARS
Schultz has an estimated net worth of $3.5 billion, according to Forbes.
The news of Schultz’s move to Florida comes a week after Starbucks said it will be opening a new corporate office in Nashville.
Starbucks to open corporate operations office in Nashville, TN
Starbucks is opening a new corporate operations office in Nashville, Tennessee later this year, a move that comes as the Seattle-based company continues to reshape parts of its footprint at home.
Both announcements come as Washington state has been working to pass what has been dubbed the "millionaires tax," which would impose a 9.9% income tax on households earning more than $1 million annually.
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The Washington State House of Representatives passed the controversial bill in a 51-46 vote. The bill must now be confirmed by the State Senate before Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson can sign it into law.
Starbucks announces new slate of Seattle location closures
Starbucks representatives have announced five locations in the Seattle area will be shut down. The Starbucks Workers United union says they have filed an unfair labor practice charge.
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