Eight Starbucks stores in Brooklyn are closing as part of a $1 billion plan announced in September 2025.
This plan affects locations from Greenpoint to Downtown Brooklyn, impacting many neighborhoods in the borough. Brooklyn is part of more than 40 Starbucks closures across New York State, as reported by WPDH.
910 Manhattan Ave, Greenpoint
The Starbucks at 910 Manhattan Ave in Greenpoint closed unexpectedly at the end of September, as reported by Greenpointers on September 29, 2025. Customers found a note on the door announcing the closure and thanking them for their support.
This Starbucks was in a historic building that used to be the Chopin Theatre, a 500-seat venue named after the Polish composer, according to the Lost NYC Blog. The closure means fewer Starbucks options in the Greenpoint/Williamsburg area.
Part of 400-Store National Wave
Since June 2025, 400 Starbucks locations in North America have closed, according to CBS News and CNBC.
By the end of this fiscal year, the company will have 18,300 stores in North America, a decrease from 18,734 in June. CEO Brian Niccol, who started in 2024, launched a plan to stop six straight quarters of falling same-store sales.
395 Flatbush Ave, Fort Greene
The Starbucks at 395 Flatbush Ave in the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill area is closing.
This location was busy and served a diverse neighborhood with a mix of homes, businesses, and schools, according to Brooklyn News12 and Brooklyn Paper.
CEO Explains Closure Criteria
In a September letter to employees, CEO Brian Niccol stated the company 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,” CBS News reported.
Starbucks emphasized to CNBC that closures are based on financial metrics and lease considerations, not union status.
309 Gold St, Downtown Brooklyn
The store at 309 Gold St in Downtown Brooklyn is closing, according to Brooklyn News12.
This location served a busy area with many businesses and homes, close to Brooklyn’s government offices and one of the most developed neighborhoods in the borough.
What Happens to Employees?
Store employees at closing locations can transfer to a nearby Starbucks or choose a severance package.
Additionally, about 900 corporate employees are facing layoffs across the country and will receive $150 million in separation benefits. CBS News confirmed that the restructuring includes $850 million for closing stores and exiting leases.
45 Hoyt St, Near Boerum Hill
The Starbucks located at 45 Hoyt St, near Boerum Hill, is set to close its doors.
This café has been a go-to spot for residents in the area connecting Downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights, as reported by Brooklyn News12 and Brooklyn Paper.
Union Demands Transparency on Closures
Starbucks Workers United, which represents over 650 unionized cafes across the country, announced on September 24, 2025, that it will request information about store closures and will negotiate the impact of these closures at each union store.
The union aims to ensure that workers can relocate according to their preferences. It is not clear how many of the eight locations in Brooklyn are unionized.
3 Flushing Ave, Fort Greene
The Starbucks at 3 Flushing Ave in the Fort Greene/Navy Yard area is closing. This location serves a growing part of Brooklyn that has seen a surge in new businesses and homes.
It is part of the Navy Yard, which has become a modern job center, according to Brooklyn News12.
Brooklyn’s Independent Coffee Scene Offers Alternatives
Brooklyn is home to many independent coffee shops. Notable cafés include Devoción in Williamsburg, which serves fresh Colombian coffee ready to drink within 10 days; Café Grumpy in Greenpoint, a local favorite since 2005; Oslo Coffee Roasters in Williamsburg, which has been roasting beans since 2003; and Hungry Ghost in Fort Greene, which opened in November 2013.
According to Your Brooklyn Guide in November 2023, many residents prefer these local shops for their quality, unique atmospheres, and strong community ties.
625 Atlantic Ave, Near Barclays Center
The Starbucks at 625 Atlantic Avenue, near Barclays Center, is closing, according to Brooklyn News 12 and amNewYork.
This store catered to people attending events, commuters, and shoppers in Brooklyn’s busiest transit area, located near Atlantic Terminal and major subway lines.
Mobile Order Overload
Stores optimized for mobile orders lost their community atmosphere, CNN reported on September 26, 2025. Customers complained about picking up orders in crowded, unwelcoming spaces with no seating available.
Inc. magazine noted in October 2025 that the new strategy rebalances mobile convenience with in-store experience, acknowledging that prioritizing speed over comfort drove customers away.
578 Atlantic Ave, Boerum Hill
The 578 Atlantic Ave Starbucks in Boerum Hill/Fort Greene is also closing. This represents the second closure on Atlantic Avenue, suggesting that the corridor may have been oversaturated with Starbucks locations, according to Brooklyn News 12 and The Brooklyn Paper.
Brooklyn historically had multiple Starbucks stores in proximity—a strategy the company is now reversing.
Starbucks Plans 1,000 Store Redesigns Nationwide
Despite closures, Starbucks plans to expand to over 1,000 locations by the end of 2026, CNBC reported on September 5, 2025.
The redesigns will feature more comfortable seating, additional power outlets, warmer design elements with wood textures, and a return to the “third place” concept—a welcoming community space that bridges the gap between home and work, CNN confirmed. The redesign includes what the company calls its “Siren System” with improved store layouts.
969 1st Ave, Sunset Park/Park Slope
The 969 1st Ave Starbucks, located at the Sunset Park/Park Slope border, completes the list of eight Brooklyn closures, according to Brooklyn News12 and amNewYork.
This location served a transitional neighborhood area along the border between two distinct Brooklyn communities.
New York State Heavily Affected by Closures
Over 40 Starbucks locations are closing across New York State, making it one of the hardest-hit states nationwide, according to WPDH, reported on October 5, 2025.
The closures include the eight Brooklyn stores, multiple locations in Manhattan and Queens, as well as stores in Albany, Lake Placid, Rochester, Chappaqua, Bronxville, and New Rochelle, TimeOut New York confirmed.
When Will Stores Close?
Most Brooklyn locations are expected to close by the end of October 2025, according to a report by Brooklyn News12. The 910 Manhattan Ave Greenpoint store already closed in late September, according to Greenpointers.
Employees typically receive 2-4 weeks’ notice, though some locations close with minimal warning. Store employees learned of closures shortly before public announcements in several cases.
How to Find Your Nearest Alternative Starbucks
Use the Starbucks app or website store locator to find the nearest alternative location. Most closing Brooklyn stores have another Starbucks within 0.5 to 1 mile. Downtown Brooklyn customers can use locations at MetroTech or Fulton Street.
Greenpoint customers will need to travel to other nearby neighborhoods, as the closure of Manhattan Avenue reduces local options.
What This Means for Brooklyn’s Coffee Future
Brooklyn’s coffee scene will continue thriving with or without these eight Starbucks. The borough’s independent café culture remains strong, and closures may redirect foot traffic to local businesses.
For Starbucks, success depends on whether remaining Brooklyn stores successfully implement the “third place” redesign strategy and win back customers seeking community spaces. The company is betting $1 billion that fewer, better stores will outperform a larger network of transactional locations.