At Starbucks, we believe that good things happen when we get together. When we unite over our shared passions, we can create meaningful change. That's why we created Get Together. By fostering connections among our customers and partners (employees) Get Together aims to inspire positive change in our communities, individuals' lives, and our environment. Join us in our efforts across Asia Pacific as we work hand in hand to create a brighter future for all. Let’s Get Together.

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Here's how you can join us!

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At Starbucks, we believe that good things happen when we get together. When we unite over our shared passions, we can create meaningful change. That's why we created Get Together.

Let's Get Together For Good : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks Stories Asia

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2025/get-together/

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Let’s Get Together For Good

Starbucks Malaysia opened its fourth Signing Store in Permas City, Johor, seeking to redefine the café experience by fostering inclusivity, celebrating the talents of the Deaf and hard of hearing community, and creating an environment where everyone is welcome. This new store builds on the success of prior Signing Stores in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Sarawak.

Over the past 26 years, Starbucks Malaysia has championed equity, inclusion, and diversity, exemplified by its innovative Signing Store concept established in 2016. Starbucks Malaysia has long been dedicated to making a meaningful impact in its communities and continues to lead with Signing Stores dedicated to uplifting and supporting the Deaf and hard of hearing community.

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What started with just one Deaf partner assisting at the Berjaya Times Square store has grown significantly. Starbucks Malaysia now employs over 20 Deaf partners (employees), nurtures over 11 Coffee Masters and four advanced Coffee Masters, and upskills five Deaf partners into supervisory roles. With the opening of the Permas City Signing Store, the company proudly promoted its long-time Deaf partner, Mohd Akmal, to store supervisor.

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"When I joined Starbucks as a barista, I never thought I’d one day lead a team. Becoming a supervisor and being part of the opening team at the fourth Signing Store in Malaysia is a dream come true. I’m so thankful for the opportunities I’ve had to develop and show that the Deaf community can achieve great things," said Mohd Akmal.

As part of its efforts to uplift this community, Starbucks collaborates with Deaf artists who create unique art pieces that celebrate their talents and stories. Wong Jia Yaw, a Malaysian Deaf artist, created The Colors of Joy for this Signing Store. His painting celebrates Deaf culture and its journey, depicted by the growth of coffee cherries from green to vibrant red. Each stage symbolizes resilience, growth, and the uniqueness of Deaf culture. At the heart of the artwork are handshapes spelling “J.O.Y.” in sign language, reflecting connection, creativity, and the cultural pride of Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (BIM), the native language of Malaysia's Deaf community.

“As we open our fourth Signing Store and the very first in the southern region, we are proud to continue expanding our mission of creating inclusive spaces and opportunities,” said Dato’ Sydney Quays, Group CEO of Berjaya Food Berhad and Managing Director of Starbucks Malaysia. “We are honored to establish this store in such a vibrant location and are excited to expand our Signing Store footprint, ensuring that more people across Malaysia can experience the inclusivity and connection these stores represent. We invite everyone to visit and be part of this meaningful journey.”

“This Signing Store represents a significant step forward in creating opportunities for the Deaf community in Johor. This initiative shines a spotlight on their unique talents and potential while building deeper connections within Johoreans. We are excited to see how this effort will enhance awareness and collaboration in support of the Deaf and hard of hearing community,” said Mohd Yazid Bain, President of Society Deaf of Johor (SDJO).

Starbucks Malaysia Celebrates 26th Anniversary with the Opening of its Fourth Signing Store : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks Malaysia Celebrates 26th Anniversary with the Opening of its Fourth Signing Store

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Starbucks announces the opening of Singapore’s first Community Store at Active Garden, Gardens by the Bay. The store aims to support mental wellness and foster community engagement, reflecting the company’s ongoing mission to create nurturing spaces where individuals can come together and form meaningful connections.

Mental health is an increasingly important issue in Singapore, with approximately <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/depression-anxiety-stress-1-in-3-youth-in-s-pore-had-had-very-poor-mental-health-says-imh-survey#:~:text=The%20youth%20study%20found%20that,restless%20most%20of%20the%20time.">one in three youths</a> aged 15 to 35 experiencing severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress.

To raise awareness of the issue, Starbucks Singapore has launched its first Community Store in partnership with two local organizations, Gardens by the Bay and MINDSET Care Limited, to promote mental wellness in the community.&nbsp; A portion of beverage sales at this Community Store will help fund workshops and activities for beneficiaries of organizations dedicated to mental wellness.

Community Stores seek to strengthen local communities and create pathways to opportunities. This store joins over 50 Community Stores in Asia Pacific.

The Community Store aims to combine mental wellness advocacy with the lush greenery and tranquil waterfront surroundings of Gardens by the Bay. This thoughtfully designed space features informative panels that offer self-care tips and resources, encouraging awareness of mental wellness. In addition, the store showcases specially curated artworks celebrating human connections that unite people, reflecting Starbucks commitment to fostering a vibrant community where everyone feels welcome.

“Starbucks has always been dedicated to nurturing the limitless possibilities of human connection. With the launch of our first Community Store, we aim to create a positive and lasting impact and drive meaningful connections that champion mental wellness within our local communities,” said Patrick Kwok, General Manager at Starbucks Singapore.

Partnerships at the heart of the Community Store

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Starbucks partnership with Gardens by the Bay supports mental well-being through workshops for the public and the Gardens’ Gift of Gardens community outreach initiative. These workshops will include aromatherapy and journaling, conducted by Gardens by the Bay’s volunteers, and coffee appreciation sessions, conducted by Starbucks baristas at the Community Store.

Additionally, “Wellness Friday,” will be held every second Friday of the month, allowing seniors and caregivers to enjoy activities such as gardening at Active Garden’s community garden, mindfulness activities and talks, and sensory tours at Flower Dome or Cloud Forest.

Furthermore, Starbucks partners (employees) will join Gardens by the Bay’s volunteers throughout the year to take seniors from nursing homes on outings to the Gardens to enrich their mental well-being.

Starbucks long-standing partnership with MINDSET Care Limited has driven impactful initiatives, including mental health awareness campaigns, fundraising efforts, and Mini-MINDSET Days, where mental health clients and caregivers are welcomed into the stores for enriching activities and workshops led by Starbucks partners.

The collaboration with MINDSET Care will extend to the Active Garden Community Store, where MINDSET will curate wellness resources and host future events, enabling beneficiaries to experience the Gardens through specialized workshops and programs that promote mental wellness and foster connections within the community. Through facilitating these meaningful interactions, Starbucks aims to make a lasting positive impact on the community and advance mental wellness advocacy.

Starbucks dedicates first Community Store in Singapore to support mental wellness : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks dedicates first Community Store in Singapore to support mental wellness

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On this Global Handwashing Day, an international moment dedicated to increasing awareness and education on the importance of personal hygiene to prevent diseases and save lives, Starbucks has partnered with <a href="https://planet-water.org/starbucks/">Planet Water Foundation,</a> a non-profit organization, to provide clean water access and hygiene programs to communities worldwide. Through this long-term partnership supported by The Starbucks Foundation since 2011, 73 AquaTowers&nbsp;have been constructed globally, including seven&nbsp;markets across Asia Pacific, providing more than &nbsp;131,000 &nbsp;people with access to clean water.

This year, The Starbucks Foundation supported Planet Water Foundation to provide access to clean, safe drinking water and handwashing stations for communities in Asia Pacific including Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. &nbsp;In addition, Starbucks Philippines and Starbucks Vietnam supported three additional towers in their markets, respectively.&nbsp; Starbucks partners (employees) in each market volunteered to help assemble and install the AquaTowers alongside Planet Water Foundation. Volunteers also led hygiene education activities with local students and teachers in the community.

The Starbucks Foundation also partnered with Planet Water Foundation to support <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/the-starbucks-foundation-supports-typhoon-yagi-relief-efforts-in-thailand-and-vietnam/">Typhoon Yagi relief efforts</a> in Chiang Rai province in Thailand and Yen Bai province in Vietnam.

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On this Global Handwashing Day, an international moment dedicated to increasing awareness and education on the importance of personal hygiene to prevent diseases and save lives, Starbucks has partnered with Planet Water Foundation, a non-profit organization, to provide clean water access and hygiene programs to communities worldwide.

Starbucks and Planet Water Foundation partner to bring clean water to communities in Asia Pacific : Starbucks Stories Asia %

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Starbucks and Planet Water Foundation partner to bring clean water to communities in Asia Pacific

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The Starbucks Foundation has more than a 25-year history of investing in communities across the U.S. and globally. In March 2022, The Starbucks Foundation&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/the-starbucks-foundation-launches-global-community-impact-grants-initiative/">announced</a>&nbsp;a $30 million investment by 2030 in its Global Community Impact Grants portfolio designed to drive locally relevant impact in the communities where Starbucks operates around the world.

In the third year of the&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/supporting-youth-empowerment-hunger-relief-and-refugees-in-emea/">Global Community Impact Grants</a>&nbsp;program, The Starbucks Foundation awarded grants to 85 nonprofits, all of which were nominated by Starbucks international licensees and will reach communities in more than 46 markets. Between grants and co-investment from international licensees, over $3.2 million has been awarded in 2024 to date for causes aligned to The Starbucks Foundation’s community impact goals, including youth workforce development, hunger relief and economic opportunity, while also promoting access to human and social services, water and sanitation and greater inclusion and diversity.

In Asia Pacific, The Foundation awarded 24 grants across 12 markets for causes ranging from social services to youth workforce development to hunger relief to inclusion &amp; diversity. Grants were awarded in Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/global-community-impact-grants/">Learn more</a>&nbsp;about the program and organizations we are supporting in Asia Pacific and across the globe.

Supporting Youth Workforce Development, Hunger Relief, and Inclusion &amp; Diversity in Asia Pacific : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Supporting Youth Workforce Development, Hunger Relief, and Inclusion &amp; Diversity in Asia Pacific

The Starbucks Foundation has more than a 25-year history of investing in communities across the U.S. and globally. In March 2022, The Starbucks Foundation&nbsp;announced&nbsp;a $30 million investment by 2030 in its Global Community Impact Grants portfolio designed to drive locally relevant impact in the communities where Starbucks operates around the world. In the third year […]

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/global-community-impact-grants-asia-pacific/

Supporting Youth Workforce Development, Hunger Relief, and Inclusion & Diversity in Asia Pacific

In response to Typhoon Yagi, a devastating storm that struck southern China and Southeast Asia, and its aftermath, The Starbucks Foundation has partnered with nonprofit organizations <a href="https://planet-water.org/starbucks/">Planet Water Foundation</a> and <a href="https://www.care-international.org/news/typhoon-yagi-devastates-southeast-asia-millions-affected">CARE</a> to provide clean water access and other emergency response and recovery support to impacted communities.

Through this support, Planet Water Foundation deployed AquaTower water filtration systems to provide clean, safe drinking water access in Yen Bai province in Vietnam, and Chiang Rai province in Thailand. These systems produce 1,000 liters of safe drinking water per hour, providing impacted community members with safe water for drinking, cooking, and other essential uses.

Starbucks has partnered with&nbsp;Planet Water Foundation since 2011 to provide clean water access and hygiene programs to communities around the world. Through this long-term partnership supported by The Starbucks Foundation, 70 AquaTowers&nbsp;have been constructed globally, including in seven&nbsp;markets across Asia Pacific, providing up to 126,000 people with access to clean water.

CARE is working to address the most urgent needs of families and individuals in impacted communities. CARE’s response is focused on rapid assessment and mobilization, emergency water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and social protection, including humanitarian cash transfers. CARE is also ensuring that the voices and needs of women and girls are taken to account, and is prepared to support medium and long-term recovery. The response also includes supporting locally affected communities to restore their shelters and livelihood activities.

CARE and The Starbucks Foundation are also supporting a project to promote sustainable and resilient livelihoods for women coffee producers in Vietnam’s Son La Province, as part of The Starbucks Foundation’s goal to reach 1 million women in coffee, tea and cocoa-growing communities by 2030.

Disaster Response (Yagi Typhoon)

The Starbucks Foundation supports Typhoon Yagi relief efforts in Thailand and Vietnam : Starbucks Stories Asia

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The Starbucks Foundation supports Typhoon Yagi relief efforts in Thailand and Vietnam

In response to Typhoon Yagi, a devastating storm that struck southern China and Southeast Asia, and its aftermath, The Starbucks Foundation has partnered with nonprofit organizations Planet Water Foundation and CARE to provide clean water access and other emergency response and recovery support to impacted communities.

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Starbucks Thailand announced opening its third Community Store at The Kad Farang Village amidst the mountains of Mae Rim district, Chiang Mai province, supporting local coffee farmers and communities. The store's design is inspired by the local coffee growing traditions and cultural heritage of Northern Thailand farmers, who have long collaborated with Starbucks and played a crucial role in creating the Starbucks® Muan Jai™ Blend, a special coffee blend available exclusively in Thailand.

Since the launch of Starbucks® Muan Jai™ Blend coffee in 2003, and Thailand's first Community Store in Bangkok in 2013, Starbucks Thailand has contributed over 27 million baht (approximately $790,000 USD) to support coffee farming communities in Northern Thailand. These contributions enabled The Integrated Tribal Development Foundation (ITDF), a local nonprofit organization, to implement various social and environmental development projects in Northern Thailand, including the Mountain Waterworks Project and a health clinic in Bann Huay Som Poi, which serves coffee farmers in Bann Huay Som Poi and nine neighboring communities, benefiting over 1,600 people. Additionally, Starbucks has supported establishing schools in the Chiang Mai area, including Ban Mae Khee Muk Noi-Gong Gai Child Centre and Ban Song Tan School. Starbucks also offers the Livelihood Equipping, Training, and Nourishment Project, which has empowered over 900 hill tribe villagers by providing knowledge in various fields.

A Coffee Store Reflecting Local Identity

Starbucks at The Kad Farang, Mae Rim, is decorated with warm-toned wooden lattices, evoking a rustic charm that blends with the surrounding interior space. Earthy tones in the furniture reflect the community's deep connection to nature, while warm hues highlight their enduring bond with the heritage of coffee cultivation and the land.

To pay homage to the coffee farmer community, the store features custom artwork that incorporates handwoven textile panels created by local weavers and artisans. The panels celebrate the diverse hill tribe communities and traditional crafts, representing the vibrant farming communities of Northern Thailand.

Strengthening Thai Coffee Farmers and Communities Through Continued Support

For every Starbucks beverage purchased at this store, 10 baht will be donated to ITDF to improve the livelihoods of coffee farmers in Northern Thailand. Additionally, this branch offers an exclusive drink menu featuring the Muan Jai™ White Chocolate Affogato-Style Frappuccino® Blended Beverage. A special collection of merchandise is also available, including Benjarong mugs (traditional Thai five-colored porcelain), drinkware, keychains, bags, and coasters made with coffee grounds. Inspired by coffee plants and the Northern Thai coffee farming communities, the collection features vibrant designs.

Starbucks Thailand opens third Community Store : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks Thailand opens third Community Store

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Starbucks Korea has launched its innovative 'Gana Art Park' store, quickly becoming a central attraction in the northern Gyeonggi region. The store, a collaboration with Print Bakery, Korea’s largest art platform, combines the Starbucks Experience with unique artworks, creating a vibrant cultural experience.

As Starbucks Korea's ninth destination store, Gana Art Park offers customers a distinctive blend of art and coffee. On its opening day, the store attracted over 2,000 visitors, setting a new record for destination store attendance. The 187-seat venue was bustling with both locals and tourists, eager to explore the new art-integrated concept.

As an art collaboration specialized store, visitors showed great interest in the artworks, moving around the store to appreciate them, taking photos in the designated photo zones with family and friends.

The store offers exclusive food and beverage items, including the 'Ganache House Cake' which sold out on opening day, and the special drink 'Strawberry Glazed Cream Frappuccino,' with its art-like colors, was the second most popular item following the Americano.

Starbucks Korea has been creating successful collaborations with Print Bakery artists since 2023. Earlier this year saw the release of the Dodo Edition MD by artist Kim Sun Woo, the NFT Eco Project by artist Dadaz, and the Cheongshin Edition MD by artist Cheongshin, incorporating art into their stores through various online and offline collaborations.

Gana Art Park also features a separate exhibition space for Print Bakery artists' works, and Starbucks Korea expects this store to become a launchpad for emerging artists, contributing to the active promotion of Korean artists.

Shin Yong Ah, Starbucks Korea’s Store Concept Planning Team Leader, said, "We hope Gana Art Park will become a landmark in the region, allowing more customers to enjoy Starbucks with integrated artworks," adding, "Starbucks will continue to introduce various unique stores, offering differentiated experiences exclusive to Starbucks."

Meanwhile, Starbucks operates a total of nine destination stores, including The Yangpyeong DT store, The Bukhan River R store, The Bukhansan store, The Yeosu Dolsan DT store, The Jeju Songdang Park R store, Edae R store, Daegu Jongro Gotaek store, the Kyungdong 1960 store, and the Gana Art Park Store.

Starbucks Korea's Gana Art Park art collaboration store opens : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks Korea&#8217;s Gana Art Park art collaboration store opens

Starbucks Korea has launched its innovative &#8216;Gana Art Park&#8217; store, quickly becoming a central attraction in the northern Gyeonggi region. The store, a collaboration with Print Bakery, Korea’s largest art platform, combines the Starbucks Experience with unique artworks, creating a vibrant cultural experience. As Starbucks Korea&#8217;s ninth destination store, Gana Art Park offers customers a […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/starbucks-koreas-gana-art-park-art-collaboration-store-opens/

Starbucks Korea’s Gana Art Park art collaboration store opens

Starbucks Philippines continues its commitment to youth education with the opening of its second community store in the market in Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City. This new store adds to the global network of over 200 Starbucks® Community Stores and over 50 stores in the Asia Pacific region. Starbucks Community Stores create environments that aim to help uplift communities in locally relevant ways. These store concepts – led by partners who directly connect to the initiative or cause of that store – provide intentional and dedicated programming and experiences.

Building on the positive impact on youth created by Starbucks Philippines’ first Community Store in Abad Santos Tondo last September, this new store continues to create economic opportunities and empower underserved communities through youth education.

A portion of the proceeds from the Maysilo Circle Community Store will support Mano Amiga Philippines, an organization dedicated to enhancing education for children from low-income communities. Established in Mexico in 1963 and active in the Philippines since 2008, Mano Amiga has steadily grown, providing more scholarships each year to deserving students.

Starting this October, Starbucks Philippines, in partnership with Mano Amiga, will launch the Raising Readers and Raising Leaders programs. These initiatives will benefit underprivileged youth at Nayon ng Kabataan in the Welfareville community, Mandaluyong City. Raising Readers promotes literacy through storytelling, arts and crafts, and nutritious meals. Raising Leaders offers leadership training, life skills workshops, scholarships, and school placement support. Together, these programs aim to advance children's education and positively impact their communities.

"We are thrilled to work with Mano Amiga for our second Community Store, as their mission aligns with our values and commitment to advancing youth education in the communities we serve," said Noey Lopez, president of Starbucks Philippines. "Through this meaningful partnership, we are helping to create a brighter future for the Filipino youth."

Bringing Learning Closer to Home

The new Community Store also features Starbucks first Community Library, designed to empower children through the transformative power of books.

This library aims to inspire continuous curiosity and lifelong learning by fostering a love for reading from an early age. It will feature a diverse collection of books, including works by Filipino writers and illustrators that showcase Filipino values and experiences, as well as a selection of international books offering young customers an enjoyable reading experience while inside the store.

In addition to a two-story space for the café, Starbucks Philippines has co-created a custom mural with Manila-based artist Tara Soriano. Her vibrant artwork, titled “Of Books and Beans” depicts coffee and books coming together and reflects her personal passion for inspiring young minds.

Strengthening Community Ties in Mandaluyong

Since the launch of Starbucks FoodShare in 2022, in partnership with Grab and the Philippine FoodBank Foundation, Starbucks has donated over 1.3 million food items nationwide, helping to relieve hunger in the community. Starting October this year, select Starbucks stores in Mandaluyong will donate rescuable food directly to the Welfareville community.

Additionally, Starbucks Philippines will collaborate with Gawad Kalinga to bring Kusina ng Kalinga+ to Welfareville. This initiative empowers local parent volunteers to prepare nutritious meals for children in public schools. In partnership with The Starbucks Foundation, Starbucks has provided over 236,000 meals across the country since 2022, and starting this October, they will be supporting 200 children in this community through this initiative.

Starbucks Philippines Opens 2nd Community Store : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks Philippines Opens 2nd Community Store

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Starbucks Korea inaugurated its Hwangudan store as the ninth Community Store in the market on July 11th, dedicated to preserving national heritage.

In celebration of the new Community Store opening, Starbucks Korea announced plans to donate a total of 1 billion KRW (approximately US$720,000) over the next five years for the preservation of national heritage in partnership with the Korea Heritage Service and the National Trust for Cultural Heritage. This builds on the 1.1 billion KRW (approximately US$800,000) donated by Starbucks Korea for cultural heritage protection since 2015.

A portion of proceeds from Starbucks Hwangudan – 300 KRW (approximately US$0.22) per item –&nbsp; combined with proceeds from special national heritage preservation products created by Starbucks, will also be donated to support the preservation of national heritage.

“With the opening of our ninth Community Store, we hope to further expand the series of activities that Starbucks has carried out over the past decade for cultural heritage preservation,” said Ryan Sohn, ceo of Starbucks Korea. “We will continue to raise awareness of national heritage preservation across the company and create more opportunities for engagement in these meaningful activities.”

Local Partnerships to Drive Greater Impact

A signing ceremony in honor of the new Community Store and associated partnerships was attended by Ryan Sohn, ceo of Starbucks Korea; Choi Eung-chon, Administrator of the Korea Heritage Service; Kim Jong-kyu, Chairman of the National Trust for Cultural Heritage; Brady Brewer, Starbucks International ceo; and Emmy Kan, president of Starbucks Asia Pacific, along with more than 50 other guests.

Administrator of the Korea Heritage Service, Choi Eung-chon stated, “The collaboration with Starbucks demonstrates a new sustainable model for governance and ESG in the field of national heritage. We hope the new heritage Community Store, will be a place where people and culture come together over coffee.”

National Trust for Cultural Heritage Chairman Kim Jong-kyu said, “We extend our gratitude to Starbucks for their continued support in preserving valuable cultural heritage in Korea. We are committed to ensuring that the significance of Korea’s cultural heritage is passed down to future generations.”

National Heritage Preservation

As part of the agreement with the Korea Heritage Service and the National Trust for Cultural Heritage, Starbucks will also engage in various national heritage preservation activities including:

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“With nine Community Stores across the market, supporting causes from inclusion to youth employment, and community development, Starbucks&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;has raised the bar in innovation with an impact,” said Brady Brewer, ceo of Starbucks International. “We are proud to continue supporting initiatives that preserve local and national heritage, celebrating the rich cultural legacy of South Korea.”

Community Stores Globally

Globally, Community Stores are at the heart of Starbucks mission to nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection. These stores are purpose-defined to better support partners, customers and communities in ways that meaningfully drive lasting connection. Store models around the world are inclusive of those providing economic opportunity in underserved communities, to empowering farmers, youth and women and creating relevant programming for the community. Starbucks goal is to reach 1,000 Starbucks Community Stores globally by 2030.

Starbucks dedicates its 9th Community Store in South Korea : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks dedicates its 9th Community Store in South Korea

Starbucks Korea inaugurated its Hwangudan store as the ninth Community Store in the market on July 11th, dedicated to preserving national heritage.

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The 50th Community Store in Asia Pacific, which is also the 1st Community Store in Hong Kong, will focus on empowering youth

From serving under-resourced communities, to empowering farmers, youth and women, and creating positive impact with local nonprofit organizations, the Starbucks Community Store Program reaffirms the brand’s commitment to inclusion and engaging local communities

Starbucks Asia Pacific announced the opening of its 50th Community Store in the Asia Pacific region on July 2nd, marking an important milestone in its ongoing journey to strengthen local community connections and positively contribute to the communities it serves.

Always more than just serving coffee, Starbucks Community Stores are at the heart of Starbucks mission to nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection.

“We are thrilled to unveil Starbucks Asia Pacific’s 50th Community Store in Hong Kong, providing a third place for youth communities in Hong Kong," said Emmy Kan, president, Starbucks Asia Pacific. “Starbucks has always stood for more than just coffee, the Starbucks Community Store Program has helped strengthen and create pathways to opportunities in the communities where we live, work, and grow. These Community Stores amplify the power of the third place, enabling our partners to connect with local communities in deeper, more meaningful ways, and drive more positive impact in the neighborhoods they know best."

The <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2013/starbucks-builds-on-long-standing-commitment-to-investing-in-communities-la/">first Community Store in Asia Pacific</a> opened in Langsuan, Bangkok, Thailand, in 2013. The Langsuan Community Store aims to make an impact through a profit-sharing model where 10 Baht (approximately 30 cents USD) from every hand-crafted beverage sold is donated to the Integrated Tribal Development Foundation (ITDF), which supports local coffee and farming communities in Northern Thailand.

Since the community store opened, Starbucks has contributed over 17 million baht (approximately $500,000 USD) to these communities. This has helped ITDF to implement initiatives ranging from providing clean drinking water, schools and facilities, to training for villagers and coffee facilitators to support hill tribe farmers in coffee quality control and C.A.F.E. practices. In 2023, Starbucks Thailand celebrated its 25th anniversary by transforming its largest store into the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/starbucks-celebrates-25-years-of-coffee-and-connections-in-thailand/">2nd community store in Thailand</a>, also supporting ITDF and Scholars of Sustenance (SOS), an NGO that focuses on fighting against food waste and hunger.

Starbucks has since opened 50 Community Stores in Asia Pacific, including in markets such as Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, working towards the goal of reaching 1,000 Starbucks Community Stores globally by 2030.

Community Stores seek to strengthen their local communities and create pathways to opportunities. In <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/starbucks-malaysia-launches-first-signing-store-in-borneo-and-the-third-in-malaysia/">Malaysia</a> and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/starbucks-indonesia-opens-first-signing-store/">Indonesia</a>, Starbucks introduced Signing Stores, dedicated to providing employment and career progression opportunities for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. These stores also serve as hubs for celebrating Deaf culture and increase awareness within the local community.

In India, Starbucks opened <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2020/women-lead-the-way-tata-starbucks-opens-two-all-women-stores-in-india/">All Women Community Stores</a> operated entirely by women partners (employees), to develop their skills and demonstrate their leadership in the workplace as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to empowering its female partners in meaningful ways.

Korea is home to eight Community Stores, where Starbucks Korea uplifts local communities and supports various causes, including youth education, inclusive design, and the environment. The market also has a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/starbucks-korea-celebrates-decade-supporting-youth-with-ja-korea/">10-year partnership with JA Korea</a> to provide career education, which has impacted over 18,000 students. The initiative is partially funded by the proceeds from the Community Stores.

Vietnam opened its f<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/starbucks-vietnam-opens-first-community-store-dedicated-to-youth-vocational-education/">irst Community Store, the Nguyen Huu Huan Community Store</a>, which supports the nonprofit organization REACH, providing vulnerable youth with vocational training, skills, and employment opportunities to build a better future for themselves and their families in Vietnam.

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/starbucks-opens-first-community-store-in-taiwan/">The Starbucks® Hualien Heping Community Store</a> in Taiwan has been designed as a community-based third place that strengthens ties between residents in the neighborhood while fostering pride in the region's diverse indigenous culture. A portion of the profits from this store is donated to Hualien County Private Heping Sustainable Charity Foundation, an organization with deep roots in the area and community, to support a local emergency relief fund.

The 50th Community Store in Asia Pacific, located in Hong Kong

The 50th community store, located at the East Asia Mansion, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, is the first Community Store in the Hong Kong market with a focus on creating meaningful opportunities for youth.

Starbucks Hong Kong is partnering with Junior Achievement (JA) Hong Kong, a nonprofit organization that enables young people to learn about the world of work from volunteers' first-hand experience, and Vocational Training Council (VTC), the largest vocational and professional education and training provider in Hong Kong, to enrich the development of youth. The new Community Store is poised to create a nurturing hub for students to gain more information about possible future careers, especially learning about the food and beverage industry through interactive workshops and career exploration programs supported by a grant from The Starbucks Foundation and a portion of the Community Stores’ sales. Students can gain hands-on learning experiences, job shadowing opportunities, and mentorship from various Starbucks partners (employees). These sessions will also be led by experienced professionals from diverse business sectors, with the aim of inspiring and developing the next generation of talents for careers in the food and beverage (F&amp;B) industry. The initiative also aims to create a positive impact in Hong Kong’s F&amp;B industry, where over 95% of restaurants face challenges in recruitment. The program builds on an existing partnership between Starbucks Hong Kong and JA Hong Kong since 2014. With support from The Starbucks Foundation, the partnership has already equipped over 350 students from 21 local schools with the entrepreneurial mindset, design thinking and coding skills needed for their future since 2023. Alan Chan, general manager, Starbucks Hong Kong and Macau said, "Apart from offering the unique Starbucks Experience, it is also our aim to dedicate our efforts to making our beloved city a better place for the future generation. The collaboration with JA Hong Kong is a testament to our dedication, we hope to empower more youth through this new Community Store, helping them to build a fulfilling career in the food and beverage industry as well as developing the skills and mindsets needed for long-term success.”

The Hong Kong Community Store offers a warm and inviting ambiance and proudly showcases a mural created by acclaimed local artist Zoie Lam with two talented Hong Kong secondary school students who excel in the arts, recommended by JA Hong Kong. Inspired by conversations on Starbucks bean-to-cup journey, the mural is a youthful interpretation that celebrates Starbucks coffee leadership, local culture, and community stories.

Fostering positive impact in local communities: Starbucks 50th Community Store in Asia Pacific : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Fostering positive impact in local communities: Starbucks 50th Community Store in Asia Pacific

The Starbucks Community Store Program reaffirms the brand’s commitment to inclusion and engaging local communities.

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Understanding the captivating story of coffee, from the humble coffee bean to the rich aroma of a perfectly brewed cup, was a reality for 100 partners from Asia Pacific and Japan who had the opportunity to participate in the Sumatra Origin Experience, spread across two waves.

Since the inception of the Origin Experience program in 2010, more than 4,000 partners from across the world have embarked on the transformative bean-to-cup coffee journey. Destinations like <a href="https://coffeeexperiences.starbucks.com/">Costa Rica</a>, Indonesia, and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/people-in-coffee/2023/photo-essay-partners-visit-rwanda-for-the-2023-origin-experience/">Rwanda </a>have been explored by these partners, who have had the privilege of delving into the remarkable journey of Starbucks coffee. This season, 100 partners from Asia Pacific and Japan immersed themselves in the Sumatra Origin Experience.

During the Origin Experience, partners actively engage in the coffee production process. They visit smallholder coffee farms, meet the families who tend and grow the coffee trees, and spend time in the fields, harvesting ripe coffee cherries and planting trees. Ita Daud, the general manager of the Sumatra Farmer Support Centre, highlighted how this hands-on work connects partners to the reality of coffee production. "Our partners realize that we need to harvest coffee cherry by cherry," she explained. "One shot of espresso is 20 hand-picked cherries, to hold that in your hand and understand that every cup started like that is very humbling."

Another significant moment during the Origin Experience is the planting of a tree. Each partner has the opportunity to plant a tree and leave a message for future generations. This tree planting allows partners to directly contribute to a more sustainable future for coffee. By planting these trees, partners gain a deeper appreciation for the dedicated work of the Sumatran coffee farmers who tend to the coffee trees day-in and day-out. As Liana, a store manager from the New Zealand market shared, "Planting that tree was a deeply meaningful experience. It's a tangible way for Starbucks to invest in the future of coffee and for us as partners to better understand the realities faced by the coffee farming communities we work with."

Continuing the journey into the heart of Berastagi, partners were welcomed by the local community and had the opportunity to hear from women and girls who are participants in a Mercy Corps project supported by The Starbucks Foundation. ST, a senior manager from the Malaysia Market Support Centre, shared, "Understanding the challenges that face our coffee farming communities and seeing the impact Starbucks has, is incredibly powerful. I met women and girls whose lives have been improved through our partnership with local organizations. Simple things like access to clean water and educational opportunities are making such a difference."

The final day of the trip see partner visit the<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/starbucks-farmer-support-centers/"> Starbucks Farmer Support Center</a> to witness firsthand the efforts made by Starbucks to create a sustainable future for coffee. Captain, a store manager from Starbucks Korea, found the Origin Experience to be an opportunity to deepen his understanding of Starbucks' commitment. "It's amazing to see the investment and care that Starbucks puts into every aspect of the coffee journey, from growing and giving away new coffee tree varietals to working one-on-one with farmers in the field. This trip has deepened my appreciation for the work Starbucks does to ensure a sustainable future for coffee."

The Sumatra Origin Experience continues to be a transformative journey for Starbucks partners from Asia Pacific and around the world. Through this immersive experience, partners gain a deeper understanding of the coffee supply chain and the dedication required to produce high-quality coffee sustainably. By connecting with the farmers, experiencing the land, and understanding the challenges faced by the coffee industry and Starbucks commitment to the future of coffee, partners return home with a renewed sense of purpose and a promise to sharing their knowledge and passion with customers.

Coffee and Connections at the Starbucks Origin Experience 2024 in Sumatra : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Coffee and Connections at the Starbucks Origin Experience 2024 in Sumatra

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