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• Feb 26, 2008 4:18 pm US/Eastern
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  Starbucks To Shut Down While Baristas Get A Boost

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Starbucks To Shut Down While Baristas Get A Boost

BOSTON (WBZ) ― Starbucks is shutting down all of its American stores Tuesday, but just for three-and-a-half hours.

CEO Howard Schultz announced the closure, starting at 5:30 p.m. local time, to energize the company's 135,000 employees. Stores with evening hours will re-open at 9 p.m.

(Read more from Starbucks.)

Starbucks' 7,100 stores across the country will participate in the brief barista re-education.

Schultz says he wants baristas to share their passion for making espresso, or as he says, "to pull the perfect shot, steam milk to order and customize their favorite beverage."

Other coffee shops are trying to recruit some of Starbucks' customers.  Coffee Break Cafe of Quincy and Braintree will be staying open late Tuesday and will be handing out free coffees and lattes from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.  Free wi-fi service will also be available. 

Dunkin Donuts is also hoping to take advantage of the shut down.
 
The Canton-based company is offering all customers a small latte cappuccino or espresso, hot or iced, for 99 cents Tuesday from 1 p.m. until 10 p.m.

(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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