Starbucks has announced it will close roughly 250 locations across the country, and 14 of those closures are in Texas. The affected cities include Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and several smaller towns. According to the company, the stores being cut are locations where there’s no clear path to the financial performance or customer experience Starbucks wants. About 1,500 Starbucks locations will remain open statewide, so most Texans will still have a store within easy reach.

For employees at the closing stores, the company says workers will be transferred to other locations when possible or offered severance packages. That’s a small comfort in a tough economy, but it’s worth noting as rising costs continue to pressure businesses of every size. Starbucks pointed to inflation and increasing operational costs as part of the reason behind the cuts.

Closer to home, the news is a reminder of how much our local businesses matter. Waxahachie’s downtown square and the shops around Ellis County don’t have a corporate parent to absorb a bad quarter. When you buy coffee, pastries, or lunch from a local spot, you’re directly supporting your neighbors and keeping your community’s character intact.

Which local coffee shop or restaurant in Waxahachie would you hate to lose? Tell us in the comments.