After seven years of business, one of the hottest lunch spots for B-CC students has just closed — the Hyatt Starbucks. Whether students were grabbing a snack, studying for a test, or catching up with an old friend, this Starbucks location was a comfortable and familiar place for many Barons. It was a particularly popular spot because of its convenience and proximity to the school. The Hyatt Regency Bethesda hotel, where this Starbucks was located, is a five-minute walk from B-CC. In its absence, much of the student body is left thinking: what’s next?
Bethesda has two other Starbucks locations near B-CC, one on Wisconsin Avenue and the other on Norfolk. Since the closing of the Hyatt location, many students have found themselves walking the extra five minutes to the next closest Starbucks. Recently, Bethesda has welcomed various new restaurants and coffee shops that B-CC students frequently visit. The now open space in the Hyatt Regency leaves many Barons wondering what the next hot lunch spot will be.
Many students have expressed disappointment about the closure. Sophomore Addy Rich states, “We were devastated because that’s where we all went for lunch every day.” Students have also expressed confusion as to why the Starbucks closed. Any B-CC Hyatt Starbucks regular could tell you how busy it would get at lunchtime. Senior Lily McNary says, “I had no idea how that place could have gone out of business.”
The location closed as part of Starbucks’ plan to shut down underperforming locations as part of a restructuring effort. Although it may have seemed busy and successful during lunchtime, the store likely wasn’t meeting the company’s financial expectations. Starbucks is likely taking a corporate strategy to close down even moderately successful locations to build better and potentially more profitable ones.
When asked what she would like to see replace the old Starbucks, junior Ava Summerfield says, “Maybe a First Watch cafe.” Sophomore Addy Rich takes a different approach, suggesting, “a McDonald’s.” In the meantime, students have been experimenting with new lunch spots. Freshman Charley Thiede tried the new coffee place Simona on East-West Highway, just a few minutes from B-CC. Thiede gave a good review, stating, “I actually tried their matcha this week. It was pretty good.”
Beyond its convenience, the Hyatt Starbucks created a community that other restaurants and cafes will struggle to compete with. It was a place where you could study for exams or meet up with a friend for lunch. Now, many have lost a key part of their routine that tied the school day together.
The closing of the Hyatt Starbucks marks the end of an era for many B-CC students. For years, The Hyatt Starbucks was more than just a coffee shop; it was a third space where students felt comfortable. Still, with Bethesda’s ever-revolving restaurant scene, the next hangout spot may be just around the corner. Change can be bittersweet, but it opens opportunities for new beginnings–and maybe even a new favorite snack. Whatever replaces the Hyatt could very well become the next best place–and B-CC students will surely be the first to call it their own.
