The Starbucks near the Grand River Avenue and Charles Street intersection will close Sunday, Aug. 31. The location opened in 1999 and was the area's first Starbucks. (Dustin DuFort Petty for ELi)

Original East Lansing Starbucks to Close

East Lansing’s original Starbucks, near the Charles Street and Grand River Avenue intersection, is closing its doors for good on Sunday, Aug. 31.

ELi spoke with Store Manager Cody Seelye by phone on Thursday. Seelye said Starbucks staff will be transferred to the new store location, near Trader Joe’s. The new store will have its grand opening on Tuesday, Sept. 16.

The closing Starbucks opened in 1999 and was the first franchise in the area. Earvin “Magic” Johnson appeared at its grand opening with the Michigan State University Marching Band. The City of East Lansing closed Charles Street from Grand River Avenue to the Albert Avenue alley the morning of its opening.

“It’s been kind of an emotional time informing customers [about the closing],” Seelye said.  “We’ve been happy to welcome them to the store.”