Starbucks closes in Uptown, but the coffee still pours

By Brooke Rayford

The stretch of Wilson Avenue between Broadway and Clark Street has been hard for businesses lately. Within the last six months, three businesses on Wilson closed their doors: Harold’s Chicken Shack #42, Luna’s Spa and Salon and the Magnolia Cafe.

And recently Starbucks announced it will close its store on Wilson Ave. on March 7th.

But coffee lovers need not despair. Two local shops, Baker & Nosh and Heritage Outpost, continue to flourish only a block away.

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Though Baker and Nosh sells coffee, it is better known for hand-made baked goods and cheeses. A fews steps away, Heritage Outpost offers freshly brewed coffee in the lobby of The Flats Apartments. It recently received its liquor license to sell beer and wine in-house.

Both shops see the possible benefit in Starbucks closing, but neither was happy to see it go. The managers recognize how important it is to keep stores open to keep the neighborhood alive.

The Starbucks store on Wilson Ave. will close in March, and two other local coffee shops are sad to see it go. (Brooke Rayford/Medill)