Starbucks to close T3 outlet, open another
- Source: Global Times
- [08:38 April 11 2011]
- Comments
By Zhang Hui
One of the two Starbucks coffee outlets in the Beijing Capital International Airport's Terminal Three (T3) will officially close today, an employee confirmed to the Global Times Sunday.
The employee surnamed Si told the Global Times that there were two coffee shops at T3, one on the second floor and one on the fourth floor.
"The fourth floor outlet will close," Si said.
Starbucks will open a new cafe beyond the customs inspection barrier of T3, which is primarily only open to departing passengers, Si added.
Microbloggers buzzed with speculation over the outlet's closure Sunday.
"[It's] because the airport increased their annual rent from 3 to 6 million yuan [$458,996.34 to 917,992.69], meaning the store would have to sell 45 cups of coffee per hour at 30 yuan per cup to cover its rent," wrote microblogger Papersushi.
Calls to Starbucks' Beijing office went unanswered Sunday.
