Closing Time

Starbucks closed a controversial location it had operated in Beijing's Forbidden City since 2000, according to Chinese media reports. Forbidden City is the former residence of the Ming and Qing emperors. The managers of the palace wanted Starbucks to stop selling its own coffee and suggested it sell other brands. The company refused and instead closed the shop. The Starbucks café had been controversial since it opened in the palace regarded as one of the most important Chinese cultural heritage sites, according to Agence France Presse. To give the location a lower profile, Starbucks removed its distinctive sign from the café two years ago.