News Summary
The Starbucks at Ansley Mall in Atlanta’s Piedmont Heights neighborhood is set to close permanently due to lease expiration on June 8, 2025. The closure impacts 16 employees, with transfer options being discussed. The store was notable for being unionized, and its closure could relate to ongoing labor relations and union activity. As Starbucks continues to invest in its workforce, this development represents a significant change for both employees and the community.
Atlanta – The Starbucks at Ansley Mall in Atlanta’s Piedmont Heights neighborhood will close permanently on June 8, 2025, due to the expiration of the store’s lease. This decision comes after many years of fostering connections within the local community.
Earlier in May, employees were informed of the closure, which affects 16 staff members working at the location. In light of the situation, Starbucks is discussing transfer options for these employees to work at nearby Starbucks locations, specifically in conjunction with Starbucks Workers United, the employees’ union. Details regarding the reasons for the closure were limited, with the expiration of the lease cited as the sole factor.
It is notable that baristas at the Ansley Mall Starbucks actively became part of the union movement in 2022, making it one of the first locations in the metro Atlanta area to unionize. However, union activity has been contentious. Last December, workers organized a nationwide Christmas Eve walkout protesting contract negotiation disputes and concerns about unfair labor practices. Employees reported work conditions that included inconsistent scheduling and long hours that were often affected by corporate decisions, which heightened frustrations among staff.
In recent months, demonstrators have staged strikes over the management’s decisions, which included the termination of a store manager who had shown support for the union. Union organizers like Amanda Rivera have suggested that the pending closure could be correlated to the store’s significant union presence, indicating that if the closure was indeed linked to union activity, it might be considered an unfair labor practice.
Currently, there are 12 unionized Starbucks locations in Georgia, 10 of which are located in the metro Atlanta area. Under the union’s impact, Workers United is negotiating terms related to employee transfer rights to other nearby Starbucks shops, only one of which is also unionized.
Despite ongoing negotiations, Starbucks has made substantial financial investments in its workforce, allocating over $3 billion within the last three years to improve retail jobs. The company claims to offer wages exceeding $18 per hour along with various benefits. Since April 2024, nine bargaining sessions have been conducted in an effort to reach a resolution concerning contract negotiations, but progress appears to be stalled.
The upcoming closure of the Ansley Mall Starbucks marks a significant shift for both employees and the community, reflecting not only the dynamics of lease agreements but also the broader context of labor relations within the company amid an increasing trend of unionization.
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Additional Resources
- Atlanta News First
- Wikipedia: Starbucks
- 11Alive
- Google Search: Starbucks union news
- AJC
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Labor Union
- WSBTV
- Google News: Starbucks closure Ansley Mall
- Axios
Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
ATLANTA STAFF WRITER The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
