Giant Food discovered that not everybody wants to sip a latte or chai tea while they shop for groceries.
The Landover-based chain and largest supermarket in the region said it has closed nine Starbucks outlets in Giant grocery stores in Maryland and Virginia. The closings were completed between Feb. 22 and March 31. The grocer still operates 12 Starbucks locations.
A spokeswoman said the grocer closed Starbucks kiosks that weren't profitable and didn't appear as if they would be profitable in the future. The grocer worked in conjunction with Starbucks Corp. to decide which to close. Automated coffee kiosks by Van Houtte, a gourmet coffee distributor, were put in place of the Starbucks stands.