Starbucks announced last week it is closing 600 stores nationwide, and NEWS9 learned the Starbucks at the Highlands in Ohio County will close before the end of the month.

If you head to that Starbucks to get a cup of joe, you'll be greeted with this sign: "Goodbye Wheeling...closing July 27th."

Starbucks made the announcement July 1, also saying that 70 percent of the stores set to be closed had just opened in the 2006 fiscal year.

Most businesses in the Highlands have been doing well, so it came as a shock to some that this Starbucks is closing. For others that NEWS9 talked to, they're not surprised, especially during these rough times.

For Starbucks, the closures are all about business. Once the underperforming stores shut down, Starbucks said it expects the change to boost earnings by $100 million a year.

Some local people said maybe this move could make way for small business success. As for the employees, Starbucks said it will try to place workers from closed stores in remaining Starbucks.

NEWS9 tried to contact Starbucks corporate office and no one was available for comment Monday night, but we are still working to find out if any more local Starbucks shops are set to close as well.