Starbucks in Belvedere Square is one of 600 nationwide and two in Baltimore that will close between now and the first six months of fiscal 2009.

The Seattle-based chain of coffee shops July 17 released a nationwide closure list -- but no exact time frames -- on its Web site, www.starbucks.com.

Starbucks is also closing its location at 301 Light St., in Harborplace.

"This list is based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information," a company release stated.

The company had announced July 1 that it would be closing 600 stores nationwide.

"We don't know when we'll be closing yet, but they will give us at least 30 days notice," said Melissa Hinds, manager of the Starbucks at 5911 York Road in Belvedere Square. "All the employees here will have homes at other Starbucks."

The Starbucks chain signed a lease in February 2006 for the 1,363-square-foot retail space next to the then-new Daedalus Books & Music.

"We're really sorry to see them go," said Sara Roberson, manager of Daedalus. Having a Starbucks next door helped generate walk-in traffic, she said.

"A lot of people saw the Starbucks sign and came in and immediately asked where the Starbucks was. We were happy to have them come in and get exposure to the store," Roberson said.

"We hate to see them go. They were a great retailer and they served the community well," said John Pezzulla, director of property management for the shopping center's redeveloper, Struever Bros., Eccles & Rouse. But Pezzulla said Struever Bros. is pleased with the growth of the shopping center.

On a brighter note, Struever Bros. plans to announce in the next few weeks another tenant where the upscale restaurant Taste used to be, Pezzulla said. Taste went out of business in April.

Roberson hopes a new tenant, any tenant, is found soon to replace Starbucks, too.

"I'm actually open to anything, coffee or otherwise," she said.

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