Starbucks Anacostia Location Closes

The Starbucks in Anacostia, notable as the first stand-alone Starbucks east of the Anacostia River, has officially closed its doors. The shop, which opened in 2020, was part of a broader initiative to expand retail options in historically underserved neighborhoods.

Its closure comes as Starbucks carries out its “Back to Starbucks” plan, which involves consolidating resources, closing underperforming stores, and reinvesting in coffeehouses better positioned to deliver the company’s envisioned elevated customer experience. Nationwide, about 1% of Starbucks’ North American stores will close this fiscal year, even as the company continues to open new locations elsewhere and plans to renovate more than 1,000 existing stores in the coming year.

For staff impacted by the Anacostia closure, Starbucks has offered transfers to nearby locations where possible, along with severance packages for those not immediately placed.

The Anacostia location quickly became a community hub and a visible national brand presence in the neighborhood. Its closure leaves a gap in local amenities and marks the end of a short but symbolic chapter for retail investment east of the river.