Seattle, WA. – Howard Schultz announced that he and his wife Sheri are leaving the Pacific Northwest after more than four decades in the region that helped shape the growth of Starbucks.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Schultz reflected on the couple’s decision to move after 44 years in the Pacific Northwest, where Starbucks was founded and eventually grew into one of the world’s most recognizable coffee brands. Schultz said the decision was emotional but came as the couple prepares for a new chapter in their lives.
The former CEO wrote that the region has played an important role in both his personal life and professional journey. Seattle served as the birthplace of Starbucks and the foundation for the company’s early expansion during the 1980s and 1990s.
Schultz described the Pacific Northwest as a place that shaped his values and leadership philosophy, noting that the culture and communities of the region influenced Starbucks’ identity and mission.
Although Schultz did not provide detailed reasons for the move, he said leaving the area carries deep personal significance because of the memories and relationships formed there over decades.
Schultz emphasized gratitude for the region and the people who helped build Starbucks from a small Seattle coffee retailer into a global company operating thousands of stores worldwide.
He said the Pacific Northwest will always remain central to his story and the history of Starbucks, even as he and his wife begin the next stage of their lives elsewhere.
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