Starbucks Withdraws Lease Bid

The Times-Picayune

Starbucks Withdraws Lease Bid

It won’t seek spot on Jackson Square

Saturday, July 07, 2007

By Greg Thomas

Starbucks Coffee Co. has withdrawn its lease application for a premiere retail site at the corner of St. Ann and Chartres streets on historic Jackson Square.

La Madeleine French Bakery and Restaurant, which operated at the site for 23 years, did not reopen after Hurricane Katrina because it failed to get a concession on its lease payments. Several other retailers in what is known as the Lower Pontalba building were granted such concessions by the Louisiana State Museum, which owns the building, because they were struggling to cope with the post-storm slowdown in tourism.

In May, news that Starbucks was seeking the former La Madeleine location prompted support from some local merchants who believed the coffee giant would attract foot traffic. But other local business owners said the chain would be out of place in the historic atmosphere.

This week the museum issued a brief statement saying that Starbucks withdrew its lease application and that the only other applicant, local chef Scott Boswell, was still being considered.

Boswell, owner of Stella! and Stanley restaurants, wants to put a restaurant in the location. Museum Director David Kahn said the museum’s board is scheduled to meet July 16, but he was uncertain if the lease proposal would come up.

Boswell did not return several calls Friday. Alan Richardson, Starbucks regional marketing manager, could not be reached for comment.

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