farewell solano starbucks

as part of a nationwide restructuring announced only a few days ago, berkeley's thousand oaks neighborhood has lost its starbucks at 1799 solano avenue as of today.

the comfortable cafe at this prominent corner has been integral to the neighborhood for 31 years, and has seen generations at its indoor and outdoor tables. we saw many regular customers arrive to face the dreaded note (similar to ones affixed to starbucks across the region this week) and permanently closed, papered-over doors and windows on sunday morning, surprised at the sudden shuttering of what seemed to be a popular and successful location.

luckily the cafe is one of several, both chain and indie (signal cafe, the nearby peets, etc.) for studying, catching up or lingering with coffee and pastries along this stretch of solano, but still...a closure this abrupt of a long-familiar spot can rattle its regulars, and can certainly shift the landscape of a neighborhood.

starbucks was at 1799 solano avenue in berkeley and is permanently closed as of today. (check the website for nearby starbucks locations that remain open.)

september 28, 2025