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
2008 Coca-Cola 600 in the lap of Kahne. With the win, Kahne completed the Charlotte sweep by following up his All Star race win with a win in the 600. Greg Biffle finished 2nd, Busch finished 3rd, while Jeff Gordon and Earnhardt, Jr. rounded out the Top 5. 2008 Coca-Cola 600 The 2008 Coca-Cola 600, the 49th running of the event, was a NASCAR stock car race held on May 25, 2008 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. The race was the twelfth of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, and was televised in the United States by Fox Sports. Radio