Officials upset over Starbucks closings

MIAMI, July 23 (UPI) -- Two Florida officials say they are trying to talk Starbucks out of closing under-performing stores in their towns.

The mayor of North Miami and the redevelopment director of Lauderdale Lakes say the Starbucks facilities slated for closing are both in locations targeted for redevelopment, The New York Times reported Wednesday.

North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns won't say whether he plans to offer Starbucks something when he meets with company representatives about the closings.

"This is definitely a hiccup in our plans," Burns said. "We are hoping by some miracle they will change their minds."

Gary Rogers, who directs redevelopment for Lauderdale Lakes, says he is trying to arrange a meeting with Starbucks representatives so he can plead his town's case.

The two locations are among 600 that Starbucks plans to close this year.