The #1 Sign That the World is Coming to an End...

Starbucks has begun to identify the estimated 600 stores it will close beginning this month.

The company has posted a list on its Web site at links.sfgate.com/ZEFL, which it said will be updated as closure dates are confirmed.

Eighty-eight of the shops are in California; below are the stores to be closed in the Bay Area.

-- Harbor Walk, 328 First St., Benicia

-- Shattuck and Cedar, 1600 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley

-- Brentwood and Nancy, 7760 Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood

-- Monument and Erickson, 2250 Monument Blvd., Concord

-- San Pablo and Park, 4125 San Pablo Ave., Emeryville

-- Mission and Sorenson, 26953 Mission Road, Hayward

-- Metreon, 101 Fourth St., San Francisco

-- 901 Market St., San Francisco

-- Lincoln and Willow, 1167 Lincoln Ave., San Jose

-- 1620 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa

-- Ygnacio and North Main, 2001 N. Main St., Walnut Creek


STARBUCKS are closing...I mean, granted, there's one every few feet, but still...STARBUCKS are closing. If that isn't a recession I don't know what it is. Next thing you know McDonalds is going to fold (or fry)....