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
Closure in Moscow Closure in Moscow returned to the US to play the entire 2010 Van's Warped Tour. In early 2011 the band's website confirmed that drummer Beau McKee and bassist Brad Kimber were no longer members of the band. New drummer Salvatore Aidone toured with the band in Japan (with FACT) during 2011. In May the band announced via its Twitter and Facebook pages that Duncan Millar, a member of the funk band Saskwatch, also with Aidone, would be playing bass permanently for Closure In Moscow. Band members Michael Barrett, Mansur Zennelli, and Christopher de Cinque worked as session musicians on the