The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
For local latte lovers, the panoply of places to perk up has shrunk.
Coffease, a chain of free-standing kiosks in Virginia Beach, has shut its operations.
A sign in the windows of the stores said: "It saddens us to have to announce that we have closed all of our stores. Due to the recent economy, we have suffered great monetary losses that prevent us from continuing business."
Coffease had at least three to-go outlets, with red awnings, in the parking lots of shopping centers - off Independence Boulevard, Little Neck Road and North Great Neck Road.
Two phone numbers listed for Coffease were out of service Tuesday.
Its menu items ranged from a 12-ounce cup of coffee for $1.55 to a 20-ounce double-chocolate Oreo frozen drink for $4.95.
A major competitor also has experienced hard times.
Over the summer, Starbucks announced that it would close 600 stores. None was in South Hampton Roads, according to a list released by Starbucks. Last week, the coffee company announced a 97 percent decline in profits for its fiscal fourth quarter from a year ago.
Philip Walzer, (757) 222-3864, phil.walzer@pilotonline.com
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