Starbucks in Westin Hotel Closes Amid Downtown Slump

Longtime coffee shop location shuttered as pandemic-era shifts hit urban centers

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:35pm

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A close-up, high-contrast photograph of a single polished metal Starbucks coffee mug sitting alone on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the challenges facing urban retail in the post-pandemic era.The closure of a longtime downtown Starbucks location signals the ongoing economic struggles facing urban centers in the wake of the pandemic.Washington Today

A Starbucks location inside the Westin hotel in downtown Washington, D.C. has closed, with the coffee giant's app and Google listing the store as 'temporarily closed.' The closure comes amid broader challenges facing urban centers and downtown business districts as the pandemic has altered commuting and shopping patterns.

Why it matters

The closure of this Starbucks location is the latest sign of the struggles facing downtown D.C. and other major city centers, which have seen a decline in foot traffic and sales for many retailers and restaurants due to the shift to remote work and changing consumer habits. This could signal further closures and economic pain for businesses reliant on the pre-pandemic downtown office worker population.

The details

When contacted, the Westin hotel's phone went to voicemail, and the Starbucks location no longer appears on the coffee chain's app. Google lists the store as 'temporarily closed,' though it's unclear if the closure is permanent. This Starbucks had been a fixture in the hotel and the surrounding downtown neighborhood for years.

  • The Starbucks location was removed from the Starbucks app in early April 2026.

The players

Starbucks

A major American coffee company and coffeehouse chain.

Westin Hotel

A high-end hotel chain owned by Marriott International that had a Starbucks location on its premises in downtown Washington, D.C.

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The takeaway

The closure of this long-standing Starbucks location is a troubling sign for the future of downtown D.C. and other urban centers that have yet to fully recover their pre-pandemic foot traffic and sales. As more businesses shutter, city leaders will need to find ways to revitalize their central business districts and adapt to the new realities of remote work and changing consumer habits.