Heading West

Heading west

As Californians continue to move to the Northwest, Starbucks Coffee Co. is taking on a different tack - heading south.

The Seattle roaster said this week it will open 12 new shops in the Los Angeles area beginning March 1.

It's been no secret that Howard Schultz, Starbucks' chief executive officer, has wanted to take his Seattle brew national.

But beyond opening in the Chicago area three years ago, Schultz has consistently evaded specifics on Starbuck's expansion goals.