Starbucks Is Pulling The Plug On This Italian Bakery In Seattle

Starbucks announced it's closing two of its standalone Italian bakery bars in Seattle and Chicago next week, Eater Seattle says.

Princi's last day of operation will be next Friday, September 3, which is located at 2118 Westlake Avenue. A spokesperson with the coffee-selling giant says this move is due to a shift in corporate strategy. They also noted that a New York location never reopened due to pandemic restrictions last year.

The Italian bakery chain has locations around the world, including Milan, Tokyo, Kuwait, and Shanghai, each with a commercial kitchen for baking. They are not closing due to licensing deals, writers noted.

"Rocco Princi founded his cafe chain in 1986 in Milan and developed a reputation for artisanal breads," Eater wrote. "The cafes supposedly mesmerized former Starbucks CEO and chairman Howard Schultz while on a business trip, and he became determined to bring Princi to the States."

Starbucks eventually brought Princi's to the states in 2018, opening a location in Seattle, Chicago and, New York.

There have been all kinds of shake-ups in the eating world of Seattle in the past year. Several historic restaurants and bars are switching hands, while new businesses are popping up and ready to dazzle customers.