Starbucks to Close Jewel Locations

CHICAGO -- Starbucks will close 13 cafes and kiosks operated in Jewel supermarkets here beginning in early 2007, Crain‘s Chicago Business reported late yesterday, citing an unnamed Jewel-Osco spokeswoman. The source said that the company did not yet know why Starbucks was closing the locations; however, the Seattle-based coffee chain currently has a much more substantial relationship with Jewel‘s local rival, Dominick‘s Finer Foods, where it already operates 50 cafes. Contacted separately, Jewel Osco and parent company Supervalu at press time had not returned calls to confirm or comment on the report.