Starbucks Starbucks, along with its partner Delek Group of Israel, closed all six of its locations in Israel, citing "on-going operational challenges" and a "difficult business environment." The Starbucks location in the former imperial palace in Beijing closed in July 2007. The coffee shop had been a source of ongoing controversy since its opening in 2000 with protesters objecting that the presence of the American chain in this location "was trampling on Chinese culture." In July 2008, the company announced it was closing 600 underperforming company-owned stores and cutting U.S. expansion plans amid growing economic uncertainty. On July 29, 2008, Starbucks
Knights of the Ancient Order of the Mystic Chain Knight's or Blue Degree was based on Arthurian legend. The third was the Red or Round Table Degree, which emphasized the certainty of death. There was also a uniformed Mark Degree open to past officers of Subordinate Councils and a Supreme Degree conferred by the Supreme Castle. In 1890 a female auxiliary called the Naomi or Daughters of Ruth Degree. Originally this was controlled by the Supreme Castle, but later became autonomous Knights of the Ancient Order of the Mystic Chain The Knights of the Ancient Order of the Mystic Chain were a secret society in the US in the