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
The Prayer Chain shows at Cornerstone Festival, and the Flevo Festival in the Netherlands. They also released some of their work and rarities through Bandcamp website. In April 2015, the band announced they would be releasing "Mercury" on double vinyl through Kickstarter to mark the 20th anniversary of the album. Funding for the album was achieved within three hours of the announcement. It is due to be released in July 2015. In early 2018, the band announced two reunion shows to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the release of "Shawl". The Prayer Chain The Prayer Chain was a 1990s Christian alternative rock band.