"Dont Fear Starbucks: Why the franchise actually helps mom and pop coffeehouses.", Dec. 28, 2007http://www.slate.com/id/2180301/pagenum/..."Starbucks Closure List: All 600 Stores, Searchable", July 18, 2008http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/18....--Answer1:1) Its better to say that Starbucks were opened when business conditions were good. The good business conditions benefited the competitors, not Starbucks itself.2) The closing of Starbucks locations is being done because business conditions have worsened. The worsening business conditions will also affect competitors. Competitors within close proximity to a closed Starbucks may actually benefit from a lack of competition.