Starbucks Will Replace Second Cup In Fredericton’s Kings Place Mall
FREDERICTON – The Second Cup coffee shop at Kings Place Mall, a fixture in downtown Fredericton for nearly 25 years, closed on Christmas Eve. A Starbucks Coffee will take over the space, the mall’s owner said.
“We have been at this location for 24 years. We were given one month’s notice, as this came as a shock we haven’t thought about another location yet, but it’s not off the table,” Nicki MacPherson, a manager at the coffee shop and daughter of owner Judy Koncz, said in a message to Huddle.
In a Facebook post, the cafe said while the downtown location is closed, customers are welcome to the Prospect St. shop. However, staff members might not find the location as convenient as before.
“Our staff have been offered the opportunity to come to the Prospect location, but many live within walking distance to kings place, and uptown is not as convenient for them. We have heard rumours as to what is going in to that location, but don’t know anything concrete. It was not our (Judy’s) choice to close this location, but mall management’s decision,” MacPherson said.
Customers are saddened by the closing of Second Cup there, especially regulars. They took to social media to express their disappointment.
“So unfortunate! Gonna miss this place and my regular Saturday barista who ALWAYS makes the perfect latte. Not excited about who I heard is moving in there,” said Nicole Blunston in a comment under a post by Second Cup King’s Place confirming the closure.
Others expressed their sadness in comments under a post by the Prospect St. location of the cafe, also owned by Koncz, to confirm the closing of the downtown spot. The Prospect location has been open for several years and will continue to be open.
“Whaaa that’s so disappointing! I loved the people there and my daily cup made the rest of the day tolerable. I will miss it so much,” said Kat Adam-MacEwen.
Jeremy Kaupp, Director of Asset Management for Slate Office REIT, which owns Kings Place Mall, said Second Cup will be replaced by another large coffee shop franchise.
“I can confirm that we have completed lease deal with Starbucks to occupy space at Kings Place. It is anticipated that the Starbucks store will open for business in the 2nd quarter of 2019,” he said in an e-mail to Huddle.