Keep coffee brewing

Starbucks will turn off the taps in one Charlottetown location the day after it opens another one on Thursday, Feb. 4

Starbucks coffee will continue to flow at the corner of Kent and Great George streets in Charlottetown until Feb. 5.

Madeleine Lowenborg-Frick, who handles public affairs for Starbucks, tells The Guardian that next Friday will be the last day the business will be operating at that particular downtown Charlottetown location.

Starbucks also operates store on Queen Street.

Lowenborg-Frick says Starbucks will open its new location

a on University Avenue, in the Staples parking lot, on Thursday, Feb. 4.

“I can reassure you that the relocation of this store has been a thoughtful process,’’ LowenborgFrick says in an email. “All our partners (employees) have been offered positions at the new location that is opening just a short drive from the existing location.’’

The University Avenue store will feature a drive-thru café concept.

The new location is likely a move to try and capitalize on the university student market.

In fact, The Guardian has learned that Tim Hortons will soon be serving donuts and coffee inside the CARI complex.

Lowenborg-Frick says the new Starbucks café on University Avenue is about enhancing the customer and partner experience through relevant and industry-leading innovation.

“We are striving to create new experiences that are reflective of customers moving throughout their day and one that suits their individual needs.

“We remain committed to being a good community member in Charlottetown and look forward to serving our existing and new customers in the new location.’’

The corner of Kent and Great George streets was home for half a century to Tweel’s Gift Shop before owner Norm Tweel moved it out to Capital Drive in 2003.

Starbucks moved in and opened in September 2009, leasing about 1,700 square feel of space in a newly renovated Tweel Building.