RITZVILLE, WA- Starbucks has closed their Ritzville location leaving 20 people in the area without a job.
The Seattle based coffee chains Ritzville location opened in 2006, Kyle Niehenke who works as the executive Director of Adams County Development Council says this could have significant impact on the economy in the area.
“That’s 20 jobs in an area it doesn’t have an over abundance of positions,” Niehenke said, “the sign went down yesterday.”
Niehenke posted to LinkedIn that this was a blow to our highway traffic amenities. He says a loss in sales tax revenue, a vacant retail storefront, and one less reason for out-of-town travelers to pull off I-90 and spend their money in the area will be felt.
“It was outside money, it was Grant County money, Spokane County money, King County money on their way across,” Niehenke said, “the Starbucks was capturing out of town money.”
The what’s next question has been front of mind— as the development council is looking into how the space can be utilized.
Niehenke says the previous lease agreements need to be reviewed to determine if a new coffee shop could move in there.
Reactions to the loss of Starbucks have been mixed- one small town in Montana is rejoicing.
