Customers percolating over Virgil Starbucks closure

With the afternoon sun shining brightly into the building Thursday it was clear why many regulars were lamenting the final day of business at the Virgil Starbucks location. 

“We live in Welland and on days like this, we usually make the trek here,” said John Storjohann while enjoying a beverage with his wife Debbie. “I prefer this location over the one downtown and I like the staff here, too.”

Storjohann added that he has enjoyed getting free refills at the company-owned and operated Virgil location, something he said the Queen Street Starbucks, a licensed outlet operated by 124 on Queen Hotel and Spa, doesn’t offer.

“We’re very upset this store is closing,” added Debbie, who often brings her own home-baked gluten-free cookies to enjoy with John. “It’s a great location. Every time I’m in here there are lots of people. I don’t understand why it’s closing. We will probably start going to the one at the outlet mall.”

The cafe was clearly in shut-down mode already. This reporter asked first for a seasonal pumpkin muffin and then a chocolate chunk cookie, both of which were unavailable. The last slice of pumpkin loaf that was settled for, though, went fine with the tall caramel macchiato that was ordered.  

The closure of the store that opened in 2019 was announced by the corporation this summer. 

In an email to The Local Friday, Starbucks Coffee Canada communications manager Leanna Rizzi said the decision to close was “part of our regular course of business as we continually evaluate our store portfolio to ensure it meets the needs of our partners (employees), customers and the communities we serve.”

She confirmed that all employees at the Virgil Starbucks were given the opportunity to transfer to one of their nearby locations.  

Virgil resident Jaden Patterson was there Thursday afternoon working on a paper for his Olympic history course at Brock University. 

“I come here at least a couple of times a week to do my school work,” said the Brock Badgers lacrosse team member. “When I heard the news I was kind of sad about it and surprised because when I come here there are always a lot of people here.”

Patterson liked the location because it was close to his house and had ample, comfortable seating. He said he would reluctantly replace his visits to the Virgil Starbucks with either more time spent in the Brock library or a move to the Queen Street store.

Elaine Peters and her husband Ralph were sitting at what she called “our table,” a bar-style raised table near the front window Thursday. She told The Local that she was “devastated by the closing.”

“We come here because it’s quiet,” Elaine said. “We can have a conversation which isn’t always the case in some of these. This is comfy and cozy. It feels like it’s an extension of your living room. This one has ambience, it has a feeling to it. The one at the outlet mall is too cold, too sterile.”

“Parking is always an issue in the Old Town, too,” added Ralph.

Elaine said the St. Davids couple is considering patronizing The Junction Coffee House at 1397 York Road, but the are disappointed they will be unable to use their Starbucks loyalty card there.

The Peters both work in the wine industry and said they often run into colleagues while they are enjoying their coffees. On Thursday they were chatting with Christopher Juras of St. Catharines. 

Juras is a driver for one of the local wineries who said he would go to the Virgil Starbucks two or three times a week. He only found out Thursday afternoon that it was closing. 

“Elaine just told me and I am shocked,” he said. “It’s sad. This has been a very convenient location. It’s great for all the tourists coming into town, too. And the kids who work down the street at Pillitteri Estates often come here for their lunch.”

At its 4:30 p.m. closing time store manager Maddi Langelaan locked the 1630 Niagara Stone Road location’s doors for good. Langelaan will have the lonely and unenviable task of shutting down operations over the next few days while the store’s staff will begin filling shifts in their new workplaces.

“We hope our customers will continue to frequent Starbucks stores downtown and at the Outlet Collection at Niagara,” said Langelaan, who added that she couldn’t comment any further.

On Friday morning a moving truck was parked in the drive-thru area and equipment was being loaded and taken away.