Tearful Goodbyes Mark Closure of Caribou

Caribou Coffee customers are packing the Grosse Pointe Woods location this morning--in the final hours of operation before the store closes forever after a corporate decision to close more than 80 stores in the midwest was announced to employees less than two weeks ago.

Caribou Coffee was purchased by a third party company as was a west coast coffee chain, Peet's Coffee and Tea, late last year and early this year. The changes to Caribou come as the company realigns itself to become more profitable and stable, according to a corporate statement from the company based in Minnesota.

The closure was announced to employees, including those at the Woods location on Mack Avenue, less than two weeks ago. Employees began telling customers of the impending closure the following day.

The Caribou Coffee in the Village in the City of Grosse Pointe is one of the few locations to survive the changes in the midwest. It will be converted to a Peet's Coffee and Tea within a year.

Woods Manager Lis Newby shared photos with Patch of the many customers who have come today to say goodbye.