Starbucks workers at locations in North Little Rock, Jacksonville, Paragould and Jonesboro were informed Thursday that their stores’ last day of business will be Saturday following an announcement this week that the company will lay off 900 nonretail employees and close hundreds of locations in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

A letter from Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol to employees this week said the closures include locations “where we’re unable to create the physical environment our customers and partners expect, or where we don’t see a path to financial performance.”

“Our goal,” the letter says, “is for every coffeehouse to deliver a warm and welcoming space with a great atmosphere and seat for every occasion.”

Blake Alexander, a shift supervisor at the North Little Rock St

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