After years in business, Starbucks and i-Tea closed their downtown locations this summer, with Starbucks shutting down on July 27 and i-Tea on August 16. These downtown establishments have been a gathering place for many Amador students, whether for studying or socializing.

“[Starbucks closing] is like my best friend just got shot a thousand times,” said Cadence Hotta (‘28). 

Students who have been visiting these locations for years may find themselves opting for alternatives such as Peet’s Coffee, Tea Zen Tea, The Bagel Cafe, or Mr. Sun to meet their caffeine and Boba needs.

“[Tea Zen Tea] is also really, really good, and it’s also in downtown, so it’s not too far, but I’m going to miss i-Tea a lot,” said Allison Chen (‘27).

History of Starbucks

Starbucks first opened 10 years ago in October 2015. According to the Pleasanton Weekly, the coffee shop was initially planned to open under a concept called Starbucks Evening.  This would have allowed the shop to sell alcohol late in the night. 

“There isn’t any place better than Starbucks. I mean, people can go to Inklings, but it’s always so crowded there, and I don’t think it’s fun there,” said Kate Mantaro (‘28). 

The evening program later ended, and Starbucks on Main Street remained a traditional coffee shop as in its other locations. Neither Starbucks nor i-Tea publicly announced their reasons for closing. 

Impact on students 

“i-Tea is the perfect distance from Amador. I know a lot of people like me who go there after school to study and hang out, said Chen. 

Starbucks and Boba shops are popular study centers for high school students. They offer free Wi-Fi, social opportunities, access to caffeine and snacks, and convenient amenities like charging stations. They also serve as “third places,” offering a break from the usual atmosphere of school and home. Students no longer have a place to study in downtown Pleasanton past 7 p.m.

“I used to go to i-Tea every week. It was the perfect study spot because they offered really good food, a good environment, and had workers who were really sweet,” said Chen.