Bethlehem Starbucks will not reopen, company closes hundreds of stores

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Starbucks on Third Street in Bethlehem will not reopen after a fire earlier this year forced its closure. The decision comes as the coffee chain announced a wider wave of store shutdowns.

The store, located in the Five10Flats building, closed after a May 2 fire sparked by a cigarette displaced more than 100 residents and shuttered all of the building’s attached businesses. El Jefe’s Taqueria reopened in August.

The Starbucks space was gutted and has remained vacant since then. Google now lists the store as permanently closed.

Starbucks said Thursday it is closing hundreds of stores in the U.S., Canada and Europe as part of a corporate turnaround strategy. The Seattle-based company also announced it will lay off 900 non-retail employees. Store closures will begin immediately.

The company is expected to have 18,300 stores in North America at the end of its fiscal year, down from 18,734 as of June. Analysts estimate around 500 North American stores could close by the end of the year.

Starbucks said baristas at closing stores will be offered severance packages and transfers to other locations where possible.

The company did not respond to multiple requests for comment regarding the closure in Bethlehem. No information has been provided on what will replace the chain in its current location.