Part 4/10:
Safety issues indeed appear as a significant factor. Several stores in high-crime areas or locations plagued by drug activity have closed seemingly overnight. For instance, a Starbucks on Aurora Avenue North in Seattle, notorious for its proximity to vice activities, was among those shut down, citing safety and performance issues.
The Unionization Factor and Worker Discontent
Critics and on-the-ground observers suggest that unionization efforts at some Starbucks locations play a role in the closures. Several unionized stores located in challenging areas may be less favored by corporate management, especially in metropolitan centers where union activities are more visible and vocal.