Did you know that 62% of local coffee shops close within their first five years, and a heartbreaking 17% don’t survive their first year (source)?
That’s why we created this page.
Welcome to the Coffee Shop Graveyard, a digital monument paying homage to those who dared to pursue their passion and carve a niche in the bustling world of coffee. This is not a celebration of failure but an acknowledgment of effort, determination, and dreams that once filled the air with the alluring aroma of freshly ground coffee.
Country | State / Province | City | Coffee Shop | Year Closed | Source |
USA | California | Altadena | The Coffee Gallery Backstage | 2023 | Link |
USA | Minnesota | North Mankato | Neutral Groundz | 2023 | Link |
USA | Massachusetts | Beverly | Tartine | 2023 | Link |
USA | North Carolina | Hendersonville | The 2nd Act | 2023 | Link |
USA | Ohio | Lyons | Beebz Coffee and Bakery | 2023 | Link |
Canada | Ontario | Norland | Coffee Caravan 35 | 2023 | Link |
USA | Florida | Jacksonville | Good Chi Coffee | 2023 | Link |
USA | Virginia | Waynesboro | Farmhaus Coffee Co. | 2023 | Link |
USA | Colorado | Fort Collins | Everyday Joe’s Coffee House | 2023 | Link |
USA | Washington | Seattle | Youngstown Coffee | 2023 | Link |
USA | Arizona | Mt Lemmon | Mt. Lemmon Coffee Bean | 2023 | Link |
USA | Illinois | Peoria | Faire Coffee | 2023 | Link |
USA | California | San Francisco | Philz Coffee | 2023 | Link |
USA | Ohio | Harrison | Just Brew Coffee | 2023 | Link |
Canada | British Columbia | Vancouver | JJ Bean | 2023 | Link |
USA | Minnesota | Rochester (2), Bloomington | Fiddlehead Coffee Co. (3 Locations) | 2023 | Link |
USA | Texas | Plano | Golden Boy Coffee & Wine Bar | 2023 | Link |
Canada | British Columbia | Vancouver | Buro | 2023 | Link |
USA | Washington | Seattle | Espresso Vivace Sidewalk Bar | 2023 | Link |
USA | Louisiana | Lafayette | Johnston Street Java | 2023 | Link |
USA | Virginia | Alexandria | Voilà Pastry & Café | 2023 | Link |
USA | Ohio | Columbus | Colin’s Coffee | 2023 | Link |
USA | Washington | Seattle | Resistencia Coffee | 2023 | Link |
USA | Pennsylvania | West Reading | Benchwarmers Coffee & Doughnuts | 2023 | Link |
USA | Alabama | Mobile | Satori Coffee House | 2023 | Link |
USA | Texas | Tyler | Wood & Bean | 2023 | Link |
USA | Washington | Seattle | Kaladi Brothers Coffee | 2023 | Link |
USA | Maryland | Baltimore | Common Ground | 2023 | Link |
USA | Oklahoma | Tulsa | 918 Coffee | 2023 | Link |
Canada | British Columbia | Squamish | Zephyr Cafe | 2023 | Link |
USA | California | San Francisco | HRD Coffee Shop | 2023 | Link |
USA | Montana | Clancy | Clancy Country Coffee | 2023 | Link |
USA | Illinois | Peoria | thirty-thirty Coffee Co. | 2023 | Link |
USA | Missouri | Cape Girardeau | Speakeyzy Coffee | 2023 | Link |
USA | Oklahoma | Norman | Michelangelo’s Coffee & Wine Bar | 2023 | Link |
USA | California | Oakland | Peet’s Coffee | 2023 | Link |
Canada | British Columbia | Vancouver | Bel Café | 2023 | Link |
USA | Colorado | Denver | Coffee at The Point | 2023 | Link |
USA | Vermont | Middlebury | Lost Monarch Coffee | 2023 | Link |
USA | Oregon | Portland | Coava Coffee | 2023 | Link |
Canada | Ontario | Toronto | The Anarchist | 2023 | Link |
USA | Missouri | St Louis | Gather Cafe | 2023 | Link |
USA | California | Santa Cruz | Tabby Cat Cafe | 2023 | Link |
USA | Connecticut | Hartford | Blue State Coffee | 2023 | Link |
USA | Missouri | St Louis | Kitchen House Coffee | 2023 | Link |
USA | Missouri | St Louis | Oliver’s Coffee | 2022 | Link |
USA | Missouri | St Louis | Rise Coffee House | 2022 | Link |
USA | Missouri | St Louis | Soulard Coffee Garden | 2022 | Link |
USA | New York | NYC | Compilation Coffee | 2022 | Link |
USA | Massachusetts | Cambridge | Darwin’s Ltd. | 2022 | Link |
USA | Illinois | Springfield | Free Press Coffee House | 2020 | Link |
USA | Missouri | St Louis | Laclede Coffee Co | 2010 | Link |
We are deeply cognizant that running a coffee shop is an art steeped in perseverance, imbued with an entrepreneur’s dream, and painted with the craftsmanship of a barista. It’s far more than just serving a cup of coffee; it’s about fostering community, creating an atmosphere, and providing a haven for conversations, meetings, and moments of solitary reflection.
“The average cost to open a single coffee shop with seating is between $80,000-$300,000.” – Toast
To venture into the world of coffee is to navigate a labyrinth of complexities. It is a world where fluctuating coffee prices, quality beans, the ideal grind, the perfect water temperature, and the brewing method play a pivotal role. It’s a daily battle against the industry giants while maintaining authenticity, an uphill climb of managing overheads against fluctuating customer footfall, and maintaining consistent quality and service in the face of unforeseen challenges.
“The average profit for a cafe ranges between 2.5% (Chron estimate) and 6.8% (Specialty Coffee Association study).” – Bellwether Coffee
The cost of rent, equipment, beans, dairy, employee wages, and countless other hidden expenses often undermine the entrepreneurial spirit. Moreover, the task becomes exponentially difficult when local coffee shops try to compete with large chains that benefit from economies of scale, have sophisticated supply chains, and have greater advertising budgets.
There are active 38,411 coffee shops in the United States as of 2022 (source).
Even with the perfect blend of passion, skill, and resilience, external factors can pull the rug from underneath the most dedicated proprietors. Factors like changing consumer preferences, demographic shifts, economic downturns, and even global pandemics can prove insurmountable, pushing these beautiful, quaint, and unique places to become a part of our “Coffee Shop Graveyard.”
It’s important to remember, though, that each entry here signifies a dream that was pursued. Each of these coffee shops, now silent, once buzzed with energy and offered its unique interpretation of coffee. They were once the place someone chose to spend their first date, to meet an old friend, or to savor a good book. These places offered comfort in a cup and a smile across the counter.
This “Coffee Shop Graveyard” is not just a remembrance of businesses that have passed but a testament to the human spirit – its ambition, creativity, resilience, and endless pursuit of passion. While no longer with us, these coffee shops continue to inspire and remind us that success is not merely staying afloat but having dared to sail.
So, as you peruse this page, we invite you to do so with a sense of respect, appreciation, and a warming sip of your favorite brew as we celebrate the undying spirit of coffee entrepreneurship.