Starbucks to Hold Teach-In for Baristas

Seattle , Wa. Starbucks Corp. will close the doors at nearly 7,100 of its U.S. coffee shops for three hours one night later this month to give baristas a refresher course on espresso standards. The move comes as the chain has seen traffic in its domestic stores drop amid a faltering economy and growing competition from cheaper rivals.

In a statement Monday night, Starbucks chairman and chief executive Howard Schultz said the new training effort highlights the company's push to "renew its focus on the customer."

The teach-in is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, and stores will reopen for business three hours later.