Greensburg residents jonesing for a Starbucks’ venti soy cinnamon white mocha, or something like it, are going to be out of luck and without their favorite coffee drink when the store closes.

On July 1, the Seattle-based coffee giant decided to close 600 stores nation-wide. According to the Starbucks website, approximately 70 percent of the soon to be closed stores had opened since 2006, and the cafes will begin closing this month and continuing through the first half of 2009.

Twenty-three central Indiana Starbucks locations are getting the axe, including several in Indianapolis and the shop in nearby Batesville.

Starbucks has cited “underperformance” and tough economic times as the reasons behind the closings, and what was once a promising new business venture on Lincoln Street will soon be shutting its doors.

The closing may come as a bit of a shock to the Greensburg Starbucks fans, especially after regional director of operations Kenneth Gregory was in town in March to discuss “good opportunities for growth” and the promises of Starbucks flourishing with the growing community.

When the Starbucks opened locally in October of 2007, it immediately began solidifying its place in the community. Local partners were taking large vats of coffee and drinks to nearby industries and companies, including Honda. In March, Gregory stated that was all a part of the Starbucks focus on giving back to the community. But with the company leaving, their community involvement will go as well.

According to a Starbucks representative, the timing of specific store closures depends upon a number of factors, and an exact date for the closing of the Greensburg Starbucks has not yet been confirmed. Partners in the stores being closed have already been notified that their store has been slated to close during the aforementioned time frame.

The full list of U.S. store closures can be found on the web at www.starbucks.com.