10 NC Starbucks stores to close

CHARLOTTE -- Starbucks' search for a quick fix will make it harder for some of its North Carolina customers to get theirs. Starbucks has identified 10 company-owned stores in North Carolina that it plans to close in a bid to shore up its bottom line. The Seattle coffee retailer has planned to cut 600 stores nationwide. Charlotte will take the biggest hit in North Carolina, losing five stores. The company will also drop one shop each in Chapel Hill, Greenville, Hickory, Wilson and Winston-Salem. Starbucks is hoping to eliminate unprofitable locations as traffic and profits have declined amid a faltering economy. The company wouldn't say how many jobs will be affected, but said earlier most workers would be moved to other stores. On the Net: To see the full list: http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/USStoreClosureInfo.pdf (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)