Trenton’s Only Starbucks Set to Close Its Doors on March 30th

In a surprising turn of events, Trenton, New Jersey’s sole Starbucks establishment, located on 102 South Warren Street, is slated to shut down permanently on March 30th. This news comes as a shock to many in the community who have frequented the coffee shop since its opening in 2017.

“We continually evaluate our store portfolio to ensure it is meeting the needs of our customers and the communities we serve. After serving the Trenton community for more than six years, we will be closing the Trenton Starbucks Community Store on March 30,” a spokeswoman for Starbucks said in a statement. “While we are saddened to be making a physical departure from the Trenton community, we look forward to serving our favorite regulars and community members at nearby stores.”

The Trenton Starbucks, a cornerstone of the community, was established as part of Starbucks’ Community Store Partner Program, aimed at fostering economic development and opportunity in underserved areas. Over the years, it has not only served as a hub for coffee enthusiasts but has also played a significant role in providing employment opportunities to local youth, particularly those from Black and Brown communities, offering them their first jobs and valuable work experience.

The impending closure has left many employees and customers disheartened, with concerns about the impact on the local economy and job market. For many of the employees, especially those who found their first jobs at the Trenton Starbucks, it’s more than just a place of work; it’s a community and a stepping stone toward greater opportunities.

The Trenton location served as a hub for community members and also as a venue for local artists to display their artwork. “Out of all of the Starbucks [it was] the only location that really felt like a community coffee shop,” wrote Trenton-based muralist, Leon Rainbow, on Instagram when the news broke about the impending closure.

“The closure of our Community Store not only leaves a void in our downtown landscape but also deals a significant blow to the progress we’ve made in fostering a more equitable and vibrant city. The impact extends far beyond the loss of a business; it represents a setback in our collective efforts to uplift and empower our residents,” said Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora.

Gusciora recently wrote a letter to Starbucks CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, expressing his disappointment in the decision and willfulness to help keep the company in the Capital City. There has also been talks among community stakeholders to have the location turned over to the Mercer County Community College Culinary Arts Program or Isles, a community development and environmental organization based in Trenton, New Jersey. 

In September 2021, the Trenton location briefly closed when longtime manager, Stephanie Campfield, passed away suddenly. Campfield’s sister -in-law, Felicia Phillips, stated on a GoFundMe page setup to pay for funeral services and to support Campfield’s daughters, that Campfield was “loved by her community in Trenton, NJ, where she played an active role with her husband—Ashshakir Corey Campfield—in organizing musical events that featured talented artists throughout the tri-state area, participating in park clean-ups and coordinating toy drives.” One Trenton resident said, “Part of the [Trenton] Starbucks story would be lost without mentioning Stephanie’s death changed the store forever.”

Local leaders and activists are expressing their disappointment and are calling for support for the affected employees. They emphasize the importance of preserving economic opportunities in underserved communities and are urging Starbucks to consider alternative solutions, such as relocation or continued support for workforce development programs in the area.

“I implore you to reconsider this decision and explore alternative solutions that would allow the Trenton Community Store to continue serving as a catalyst for positive change in our city. Together, we can work towards finding sustainable ways to support our communities and ensure that no one is left behind in our pursuit of progress,” said Gusciora.

As the closure date approaches, the Trenton community is left grappling with the loss of its only Starbucks and the impact it will have on the livelihoods of its residents, particularly the Black and Brown youth who have been a vital part of the store’s workforce. A representative for Starbucks said that the employees in the Trenton location are being extended the opportunity to relocate to surrounding stores in Lawrence Township, Hamilton Township, Pennington and Princeton. Efforts to address the aftermath of the closure and support those affected are underway, but the void left by the departure of this beloved establishment will undoubtedly be felt for some time to come.