On this International Women’s Day, what better reason to celebrate our female partners (employees) from across Asia? Meet our 4 female partners who share the stories and passions behind their Starbucks journeys, explaining what continues to drive and motivate them to this day.

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Rany Men, retail store manager, Cambodia

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Although Rany Men’s hometown lies in the Cambodian province of Pursat, her Starbucks journey started in Siem Reap, where she moved to pursue her studies. Joining as a barista at Starbucks Siem Reap International Airport five years ago, she fell in love with the company – and has not looked back.

Rany is now a retail store manager in the coastal city of Sihanoukville, which she calls her “dream job”. She describes one of her proudest moments as introducing Cambodia’s country mug to tourists and seeing their reactions when she explains the cultural symbols and icons it depicts.

She is also particularly passionate about empowering others – just as she herself has been throughout her career at Starbucks. “I love that Starbucks commits to priorities such as a sustainable future, social inclusion and equity at the workplace, which encourage a female partner like me to become a leader for my own store,” Rany says.

“There’s endless access to coffee knowledge and skill development, which I can build for my future career and use to teach my juniors,” she continues. “Watching my partners grow stronger as they learn from new challenges and develop themselves has always been the biggest driver for me. All this encourages me to find myself in the right place to challenge the status quo and become the strong independent woman I am today.”

Ultimately, it all comes back to Rany’s dedication to Starbucks mission and values – which she encapsulates as “providing a welcoming place to everyone” and “inspiring partners to achieve the impossible.”

Amy Lai, coffee master, Hong Kong

A humble cup of coffee really can change someone’s life – as Amy Lai discovered when she purchased her very first Starbucks latte.

“Despite my hearing impairment, the partner serving me at the Starbucks store was very patient with all of my questions, which made me feel valued as a customer,” Amy says. It was this experience that inspired her to join Starbucks, beginning as a barista; nine years later and she is now a Coffee Master at the Starbucks Reserve Coffee Experience Bar in Hong Kong’s bustling Taikoo Cityplaza store.

Being hard of hearing has not held Amy back, with her teammates describing how her resilience, enthusiasm, and positive energy “make everyone’s day brighter”.

Amy herself relishes the sense of connection that Starbucks offers; she describes her greatest passion as not only hand-dripping coffee with different beans to create different flavors, but that she can then, “communicate and share these tastes with different customers.” Her most memorable moments are when she sees customers grow more familiar with Starbucks offerings and become regulars at her store.

“I think Starbucks mission and values are to provide a third place for customers to feel relaxed outside of their home and workplace,” Amy explains, “To create every cup of coffee with a familiar taste and to connect with customers with a human touch.”

Marie Valido, learning and development manager, the Philippines

Marie Valido’s action-packed Starbucks career began 24 years ago after graduating college and has encompassed countless roles – from barista and shift supervisor, to district manager, advanced classroom facilitator and global coffee master.

Having won Store Manager of the Year in 2009 and the District Manager Business Excellence Award in 2013, Marie’s love for learning propelled her to her current position – learning and development manager at Starbucks Philippines, where she is responsible for retail partner training and coffee leadership activities. This included heading the launch of a digital training program available for partners.

“For me, coffee is like music,” she says, “It brings people together, giving us endless opportunities to showcase what we can do and experience life-changing moments.”

One such moment came for Marie on an Origin Experience trip to Sumatra; she then shared her experiences with 300 coffee masters at a Starbucks leadership summit, where she took the opportunity to celebrate the hard work of those involved in growing, processing and purchasing coffee.

“I said every time you drink a cup of Starbucks coffee, remember that it has the stamp of the passion, dedication and above all, quality of all the people who have handled it,” she recalls. “Our work goes far beyond purchasing and ethically sourcing coffee – we help ensure that we enrich the lives of the people and community involved in the process.”

Of course, this includes the partners that Marie loves seeing progress under her training – and for fellow women in the industry, she has some sage advice.

“Grab every opportunity or make the opportunity to grow continuously; we have the ability to shape our path to success. And every time we are given a chance to showcase ourselves, put in the work and do our absolute best – because even if at times we fail, we still gain learning experiences that make us better than what we were yesterday.”

Phoenix Shih, category manager of the coffee and beverage team, Taiwan

When Phoenix Shih initially joined Starbucks on a university classmate’s invitation, she didn’t drink coffee; fast-forward 22 years and now her partners tell her that “what runs through my veins isn’t blood, but coffee!”

Phoenix’s decades at Starbucks have seen her progress to category manager of the coffee and beverage team in Taiwan, where she is responsible for Starbucks Reserve projects such as introducing Reserve coffee beans, certifying partners’ coffee making skills and promoting coffee education and engagement – including hosting coffee competitions and coaching competitors.

Under her training, partners in Taiwan have claimed runner-up title at Starbucks Asia Pacific Regional Barista Championships in 2017, third place in 2018, and been crowned Latte Art Champion three times. Phoenix fondly remembers watching the first-ever competitor she coached take to the stage in 2016 – “It moved me to tears because I realized how happy and proud I was to help my partner grow and achieve personal success.”

Regarding her own journey, she remarks, “I was fortunate enough to experience a variety of job opportunities within Starbucks, which allowed me to continue to grow.” As an authorized SCA Trainer and certified CQI Grader, Phoenix now judges local barista competitions such as the Taiwan Brewers Cup – and even plans her holidays around coffee expos. She says, “I am very lucky that my job is coffee and I want to spread that passion.”

Reflecting upon International Women’s Day, Phoenix shares the African proverb: “When you educate a man, you educate an individual; when you educate a woman, you educate a nation.” She continues, “As a woman in the coffee industry, I hope to use my contributions and influence to help more partners progress and develop, enabling them to make a positive impact and fulfil their potential.”

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Celebrate International Women's Day with 4 inspiring partners from Asia Pacific : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Celebrate International Women&#8217;s Day with 4 inspiring partners from Asia Pacific

Meet our 4 female partners who share the stories and passions behind their Starbucks journeys, explaining what continues to drive and motivate them to this day.

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Celebrate International Women’s Day with 4 inspiring partners from Asia Pacific

Starbucks Philippines strengthened its partnership with Gawad Kalinga for its Kusina ng Kalinga Program as part of the company’s continuous global advocacy for hunger relief. Starbucks Philippines and Gawad Kalinga have a shared goal to help fight hunger and support communities in the Philippines.

Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga program is their strategic response to address hunger and malnutrition among Filipino children and pregnant and lactating mothers. It is a food donation program where thousands of nutritious meals are prepared and distributed to those in need. These meals are prepared by volunteers in their community kitchens, then picked up by parents and guardians or directly distributed to children in public schools, on the streets, and even in disaster and conflict areas.

As part of the Global Community Impact Grants, The Starbucks Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga in April 2022 supporting nutrition for 600 youth in two communities in Quezon City and Laguna, as well as providing nutrition education and support for building and maintaining community vegetable gardens. Starbucks Philippines donated an additional $25,000 each to the Philippine FoodBank Foundation and Gawad Kalinga to expand its hunger relief programs in 2023 in Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Taking the first steps towards fighting hunger

In July 2022, the Kusina ng Kalinga program started the implementation of the program in Gawad Kalinga communities in Toyota, Sta. Rosa Laguna and Tribuin, Batasan Hills.

On December 13, Starbucks Philippines and Gawad Kalinga held a face-to-face volunteering program together in Gawad Kalinga Batasan, Quezon City. This program was implemented across three GK barangays: GK Pioneer, GK Tribu, and GK Telus II and Starbucks partners (employees) volunteered to help prepare and serve meals to 300 children in need of nutrition.

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“Starbucks Philippines is committed to help fight hunger and support thriving communities. As we work towards fighting hunger, we are honored to be serving our beneficiaries alongside our friends at Gawad Kalinga. We are only at the start of this fight against hunger in the country and we aim to be able to help more communities in the coming months,” said Char Vilchez, manager for Marketing &amp; Global Responsibility at Starbucks Philippines.

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Starbucks Philippines addresses hunger relief through Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga program : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks Philippines addresses hunger relief through Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga program

Starbucks Philippines strengthened its partnership with Gawad Kalinga for its Kusina ng Kalinga Program as part of the company’s continuous global advocacy for hunger relief. Starbucks Philippines and Gawad Kalinga have a shared goal to help fight hunger and support communities in the Philippines. Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga program is their strategic response to […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/starbucks-philippines-addresses-hunger-relief-through-gawad-kalingas-kusina-ng-kalinga-program/

New Hualien Heping store, dedicated to uplifting Taiwan’s Indigenous Community, joins hundreds of Starbucks® Community Stores operating globally

Today, Starbucks Taiwan celebrated the grand opening of its first Community Store located in Xiulin Township, Hualien County, reaffirming the brand’s global commitment to equity, inclusion and diversity. Around the world, Starbucks recognizes a responsibility to strengthen the communities it serves and has opened more than 150 Community Stores in service of this aspiration. In partnership with Uni-Wonder Corporation, Starbucks licensed business operator in the market, the new store provides more career opportunities for green apron partners (employees) from Taiwan’s indigenous communities and a dedicated space to celebrate indigenous culture.

Community Stores around the world are inclusive of several store models, from serving under-resourced communities, to empowering farmers, youth and women, and creating impact in partnership with local nonprofit organizations.

The Starbucks® Hualien Heping Community Store 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 profits from this store will be 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 store design draws on the rich indigenous culture in Hualian, including featured artworks created by indigenous artists Miru Hayung and Eleng Luluan. Miru Hayung, an artist from the Atayal Zihing community, used vibrant images to illustrate how coffee connects people and the environment. Eleng Luluan, a teacher from Drekay Kucapungane community, used local textiles and embroidery cloth to create an artistic landscape of plants and coffee trees.

The celebration of indigenous culture extends beyond store design. A one-of-a-kind totem embellishment, created by Truku traditional weaving master, Shi Ma Hsiu-Hua in collaboration with tribal women, is woven into the iconic green apron partners wear at the Community Store. Representing the pride of the Truku people, the design pays tribute to the enthusiasm and connection Starbucks partners proudly bring to customers.

Growing up in Xiulin Township, Hualien County as part of the Truku tribe, store manager Allen is proud to support his community through the Community Store. “It has been ten years since I joined Starbucks, and I am now a store manager who leads and trains partners,” says Allen. " Starbucks corporate mission has a great impact on me when I first joined Starbucks after graduating from university. I have found a sense of accomplishment and a sense of belonging in the store, and I hope to recruit more locals to become partners through this store.”

Since 1998, Starbucks Taiwan has opened more than 540 stores, with more than 5,600 partners now proudly wearing the green apron in the market. Committed to creating positive impact in the communities it serves, Starbucks Taiwan supported the educational development of indigenous children through its "Indigenous Hope" project since 1999. The project has provided nearly 46,000 indigenous children with scholarships, supported the establishment of seven recreational classrooms, one stadium, and two student centers, helping many tribal children to attend school and have an opportunity to develop their talents and dreams. This first Community Store in Hualien builds on this long-standing commitment to the indigenous community.

Starbucks opens first Community Store in Taiwan : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks opens first Community Store in Taiwan

The Starbucks Hualien Heping store is dedicated to uplifting Taiwan’s Indigenous Community.

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Today, Starbucks opened the doors of its first drive-thru store in Cambodia, located in front of AEON Mall Mean Chey – along Hun Sen Boulevard in the capital city, Phnom Penh. Operated by Coffee Concepts (Cambodia) Ltd., a subsidiary of Maxim’s Caterers Limited, the milestone demonstrates the company’s commitment to the market, offering more convenient ways for Cambodian customers to enjoy the Starbucks Experience through the expansion of its digital services.

The Starbucks AEON Mall Mean Chey drive-thru store is fully equipped with a digital check-in system, a digital menu, and two-way audio and video screen to assist customers in ordering their favorite beverages and food.&nbsp; The seamless and convenient drive-thru experience is a great option for customers who prefer to enjoy their beverage from the comfort of their own vehicles, especially those who want to have their Starbucks fix on-the-go.

In addition to the drive-thru experience, the 1,018 sqm store also offers spacious dine-in area, providing customers a warm and welcoming third place to enjoy freshly brewed coffee and pastries.

The store is adorned with beautiful paintings depicting the iconic Starbucks Siren and coffee flowers on the wall, adding delightful colors to the warm modern interior.&nbsp; The welcoming space is further enhanced by the natural lighting coming through the floor to ceiling windows, creating the perfect atmosphere for coffee lovers to connect as they sip their favorite coffee.

Cambodia is the 10th country in Asia Pacific region to offer drive-thru experience along with Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand.

Starbucks opens first drive-thru store in Cambodia : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks opens first drive-thru store in Cambodia

Starbucks opens its first drive-thru store in Cambodia, offering more convenient ways for customers to enjoy their favorite beverages and food.

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Rejuvenating the traditional marketplace through reimagination, connecting the past to the present

Today, Starbucks Korea announced the opening of its fifth Community Store ‘Kyungdong 1960’ on December 16th, dedicated towards revitalizing and restoring the long-standing heritage of the Kyundong Market, alongside the local community of the marketplace.

As part of Starbucks Korea’s ongoing commitment to strengthen communities through the expansion of the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2021/starbucks-korea-announces-aspirations/">Community Store program</a>, the Starbucks Korea ‘Kyungdong 1960’ Community Store will donate 300 Korean won (approximately 25 cents USD) for every item sold at the Community Store to the Korean Commissions for Corporate Partnership (KCCP) to revive and refurbish the infrastructure of the Kyundong old market. The company will also host community gatherings and support various activities, creating a welcoming space for the local community to connect.

“This store not only stands for mutual growth with the local community but also a much-cherished meeting place for the locals,” said Jeonghyun Sohn, ceo of Starbucks Korea. “We hope to create meaningful occasions for customers of all generations and contribute to revitalizing the traditional marketplace.”

The new store pays tribute to the old Kyungdong Theater, originally built in the 1960’s, that has been lost since its closure in 1994. Previously, a beloved location as a community hub , Starbucks Korea pays homage by preserving the architect and existing materials of the old theater, modified with a touch of retro and modern design elements, bringing together the nostalgic ambience of 1960s and the signature Starbucks coffee experience.

The beautiful store spans two floors (third and fourth floors of Kyungdong Market) and 805 square meters with 143 seats. The double-doored entrance, which was preserved from the original structure, leads to the center of the store with the bar serving as the main stage. With seats in rows facing forward, customers can enjoy the view of the bar as if enjoying a performance in a theater. There will be regular cultural and musical performances by local artists in the store, providing a unique Starbucks experience for customers.

To commemorate the opening of its fifth Community Store, Starbucks Korea will sign a cooperative-coexistence agreement with the Korean Commissions for Corporate Partnership (KCCP), the Kyungdong Market Merchants Association, and KD Market on December 15.

Since opening its first store in 1999, Starbucks Korea has opened more than 1,750 stores across 78 cities nationwide, with more than 21,000 partners now proudly wearing the green apron. Starbucks Korea opened its first Community Store in 2014, which supports lifelong skills development for youth through the Starbucks Comprehensive Youth Leadership Program. Today, Starbucks Korea operates 5 Community Stores in the market, supporting local communities.

Starbucks opens fifth Community Store ‘Kyungdong 1960’ to support the local community : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks opens fifth Community Store ‘Kyungdong 1960’ to support the local community

The Community Store rejuvenates the traditional marketplace through reimagination, connecting the past to the present.

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The store in Jakarta is the company’s 17th Signing Store globally creating equal opportunities for the local Deaf and hard of hearing community

Tomorrow, Starbucks Indonesia will open its first Signing Store dedicated to the Deaf, hard of hearing, and sign language communities in Jakarta, Indonesia. Designed with inclusivity and accessibility at its core, customers at the Starbucks Tata Puri Community Store will be served by Deaf and hard of hearing baristas who proudly wear the green apron. The store is located on Jl. Tanjung Karang No.3 Kebon Melati in Central Jakarta.

Creating Equal Opportunities and an Inclusive Customer Experience

The Starbucks Tata Puri Community Store provides a third place where all customers, including the Deaf and hard of hearing community can gather, socialize, and nurture human connections. Deaf baristas will wear green aprons with the company’s name, Starbucks, embroidered in sign language. Partners (employees) who can use Bisindo sign language will wear an “I Sign” pin. Customers also will be able order beverages and food using a writing tablet.

The store also offers a community area for members of the Deaf community to support and conduct programs from Gerkatin (Gerakan untuk Kesejahteraan Tunarungu Indonesia) and Pusbisindo (Pusat Bahasa Isyarat Indonesia) – two organizations Starbucks has partnered with in Indonesia to support sign language education for the broader community. To encourage a culture of human connections through the celebration of Deaf culture and sign language, the store will also host sign language lessons and coffee workshops in sign language.

"The inauguration of the Signing Store is a major achievement for Starbucks Indonesia as it celebrates its 20th anniversary in the market,” said Anthony McEvoy, leader of PT Sari Coffee Indonesia, Starbucks licensee partner in Indonesia. "The Signing Store demonstrates our commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse work environment, and to widening access to all communities.”

“We were delighted to see the enthusiasm from the Deaf and hard of hearing community when we opened applications. More than 150 people applied from across the country. The baristas who have been selected are a diverse group, including a former swimming para-athlete and fashion models,” said Anastasia Dwiyani, senior general manager of Human Capital at PT Sari Coffee Indonesia. “As with all our partners, we are excited to help nurture their talent and advance career opportunities.”

The Spirit of the Deaf Community Decorates All Corners of the Store

United by the culture of sign language, this store is filled with design elements that bring communities together. The signature siren logo with Bisindo is immediately visible as customers pass the busy main road, Sudirman Street. With the Starbucks® logo with Bisindo above the main door, customers are greeted by a mural wall as soon as they enter the store and a collection of exclusive merchandise - clear cup tumblers, stainless-steel tumblers and mugs. The elongated oval shape community table, and circle details on the floor, also symbolize the store that unites the community. The most notable feature is a 4m high mural painting by Deaf artist, Indira Natalia, which extends more than 11m outside the store, depicting the warm and welcoming Starbucks experience. The signature artwork can be seen by passersby in the street.

“As a Deaf artist, I am so proud to share my art with customers and partners at Indonesia’s first Signing Store. While brainstorming, I realized that Starbucks has always strived to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and belongs – and the inspiration for my work came from that, by presenting many different figures (communities) united by sign language and Starbucks,” says Indira. “Art can break boundaries and unite people, just like the connection people share when they drink coffee. There are many ways to communicate and connect people from diverse backgrounds, and at Starbucks, coffee makes this happen.”

Since opening its first store in Plaza Indonesia 20 years ago, Starbucks has expanded to 44 cities in Indonesia, with more than 4,300 partners now proudly wearing the green apron. In its mission to make a difference in the lives of those connected with Starbucks, the company strives to create a positive impact in the communities it serves. In 2020, Starbucks opened the first Community Store in the Tanah Abang neighborhood of Jakarta, to create educational opportunities for youth in Tanah Abang.

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Starbucks Indonesia opens first Signing Store : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks Indonesia opens first Signing Store

The store in Jakarta is the company’s 17th Signing Store globally creating equal opportunities for the local Deaf and hard of hearing community.

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Each Starbucks store tells a story through its own unique art and design, created in collaboration with artists from nearby communities. From thoughtfully working with local artists who share similar values, to ideating designs and finding creative new ways to bring Starbucks mission and values to life, Starbucks designs stores to reflect the distinct personality of surrounding neighborhoods.

Local communities are a constant source of inspiration for Starbucks and the artists we collaborate with. Each artwork plays an important role in creating a warm third place and a special customer experience. When creating artwork for our stores, we partner with artists to explore the stories behind local neighborhoods as a first step. Harnessing their creativity and expressive styles, the result is unique artworks that genuinely reflect and honor local communities, their customs, and traditions. This deepens the connection our customers and partners have with Starbucks, making all those who step foot in our stores feel right at home.

Here we explore the creative process behind three incredible store artworks from across Asia.

A mural celebrating the community Changwon Baseball Stadium, Changwon, South Korea

The Changwon store is in a distinct location, overlooking a baseball stadium and housing a community gym. Customers can visit the kiosk on the ground floor to order their favorite beverages to-go or ascend a grand staircase to visit Starbucks Reserve which overlooks the stadium. Given the store’s significance in the neighborhood, its artwork showcases a distinct sense of community and its many uses to those living in the area – whether it’s to watch a game or socialize in the off-season with friends. Having grown up in the neighborhood herself, creating the artwork was a proud moment for artist Eunjoo Lee, as it gave her the opportunity to represent her neighborhood and push the boundaries of her creativity.

“I drew inspiration from my hometown friends,” Lee says. “I sketched them as customers of Starbucks, representing a baseball fan, a parent, and an office worker. I also sketched a student, as it evoked memories of my teenage days in the city.”

“I am really happy to see my hometown friends and family visit the store, enjoy Starbucks, and take pictures in front of my illustrations,” she added. “Many Starbucks stores have opened in the community since I was in high school, so it’s meaningful for me to be a part of the growing coffee culture by reflecting members of the local community through these illustrations.”

A vibrant painting depicting the iconic Siren Magsons Tower, Goa, India

We opened our first store in Goa in the Miramar neighborhood, home to a vibrant artistic community. Commissioning the store’s artwork gave us an exciting opportunity to welcome customers and introduce them to our world of coffee, whilst paying homage to Goan heritage.

Osheen Siva, the artist, who created the artwork in this store, is known for creating vivid murals all around Goa. She is driven by a personal mission to express women’s empowerment – a value that is closely aligned with Starbucks, particularly in India, where we continue to advance gender equity through a range of initiatives, such as all-women stores. In a celebration of women, Osheen was tasked to create a bold, colorful Siren. The mural pays homage to Portuguese influences in Goa, as well the neighborhood's artistic community and famous craftsmanship.

“I had a lot of fun representing my version of the iconic Starbucks Siren,” Siva says. “My practice revolves around narratives of strong characters from diverse backgrounds representing their unique voices. The Siren is also infused by my own Tamil background with the help of elements such as the traditional South Indian vintage jewelry and Kolam tattoos.”

The mural pays homage to Portuguese influences in Goa, as well the neighborhood's artistic community and famous craftsmanship: “The composition of the mural was inspired by the vibrant and dynamic Goan culture. The rich pastel color palette was influenced by Panjim's Latin quarter called Fontainhas, known for its colorful Portuguese architecture. The geometric border design in the mural is inspired by the Portuguese azulejos tiles commonly seen in Goan homes. Lastly, the sea and the cosmos motif give a nod to the coffee trade and heritage.”

A stained-glass installation that celebrates Indonesia’s rich coffee heritage Dewata Coffee Sanctuary, Bali, Indonesia

The Starbucks Dewata Coffee Experience Center in Bali offers a one-of-a-kind Starbucks Experience for customers wanting to explore the coffee journey from seed-to-cup. On discovering local artist Abenk Alter’s distinctive Indonesian style and his love for depicting communities coming together, Starbucks partnered with him to create bespoke art for the space.

The center celebrates Indonesia’s rich coffee heritage through a variety of interactive, community-led activities such as interactive coffee workshops. In celebration of Bali’s vibrant coffee culture and Indonesia’s coffee origins, Abenk envisioned a unique stained-glass artwork that celebrates the power of shared connections.

“The artwork essentially represents my vision and things that I believe in, which I consistently wish to convey,” Abenk says. “It’s about people coming together, fellowship, and tolerance. In a social context, these are the values that are embraced as part of a concept that the Indonesian people call ‘gotong royong’ or collaboration.”

Drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of the island, the store is designed using locally sourced materials crafted by local artists and artisans. Abenk’s artwork brings a sense of dynamism to the space through playful use of natural light. Depicting coffee roasting and tasting processes, as well as the craftsmanship of our baristas, the artwork uses fluid movements and colors to celebrate intimate connections shared over a cup of coffee. The artwork adds to the stores experiential format, inviting customers to embark on the seed-to-cup journey through curated series of interactive experiences such as workshops and tours.

As we continue to explore new ways to celebrate local cultures and communities through our store art and design, we look forward to collaborating with more talented artists from across Asia, giving them a platform to share their art and stories about local neighborhoods.

A part of every neighborhood's story: Exploring the Starbucks third place experience through local art in Asia : Starbucks Stories Asia

A part of every neighborhood&#8217;s story: Exploring the Starbucks third place experience through local art in Asia

Exploring the creative process behind three incredible store artworks from across Asia

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A part of every neighborhood’s story: Exploring the Starbucks third place experience through local art in Asia

For the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2021/starbucks-recognized-by-japans-pride-index-2021/">second year in a row</a>, Starbucks Japan has been recognized with a Gold ranking from the PRIDE Index 2022, the highest honor for companies promoting diversity and inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community in Japan. Starbucks also recently announced that it has donated more than 5 million yen (approximately $35,000 USD) to local non-profit partner ReBit, to expand a popular diversity and inclusion program which visits schools across Japan.

The Rainbow School Project was created to raise awareness of gender diversity and LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and help schools provide secure and welcoming spaces for all students. According to a ReBit survey of more than 2,670 LGBTQIA+ youth in Japan, there is a 5.7 year gap between when young people first begin to seek information about their sexuality and gender identity (average age 12.5) and when they feel they actually received answers for the first time (average age 18.2). This period of confusion can be isolating and lonely, so the Rainbow School Project was designed to create an open dialogue between students, teachers and the community, to embrace and celebrate diversity.

"We are delighted to be working with Starbucks Coffee Japan on this project for the third year," said Mika Yakushi, representative director of ReBit. "We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all Starbucks customers whose purchases went towards this donation. We hope that through this project, our collective efforts to increase the number of inclusive schools will spread throughout Japan."

In addition to donations, Starbucks baristas have participated in the school visits, sharing their experiences and encouragement to young people and spreading a culture of warmth and belonging beyond Starbucks stores to the wider community.

“It’s ok to be different”: Starbucks Japan leads in diversity & inclusion : Starbucks Stories Asia

“It’s ok to be different”: Starbucks Japan leads in diversity &#038; inclusion

For the second year in a row, Starbucks Japan has been recognized with a Gold ranking from the PRIDE Index 2022.

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“It’s ok to be different”: Starbucks Japan leads in diversity & inclusion

On November 23, Starbucks Coffee Korea opened its Juksun branch as the fourth Community Store in the market, dedicated to creating pathways to opportunities for young people leaving care homes to begin their adult lives. A portion of proceeds from the store will be donated to the Beautiful Foundation to support life skills development programs. In addition, Starbucks will provide coffee skills training for young people seeking employment opportunities in the coffee industry, as well as career readiness training for underserved youth. “Starbucks Community Store is a creative social impact model that helps consumers participate in sharing in their everyday life and contributes to prospering together with the local community.” said Chan Hee Han, chairman of the Beautiful Foundation. He added, “I hope this will be an opportunity to inform young people who are preparing for self-reliance that our society is cheering for them.” Starbucks has partnered with the Beautiful Foundation since January 2020. Over the past three years, the partnership has created a KRW 900 million self-reliance fund to help young people leaving care homes develop a strong foundation for their future. Starbucks and the Beautiful Foundation will continue to provide opportunities and support through this new Community Store.

To expand outreach to local communities through Community Stores, Starbucks is hosting a “Build Your Community Store” contest, with the Korea National Council on Social Welfare, and accepting applications from nonprofit organizations (NGO) through December 5. The contest will culminate in the opening of a new Community Store with the winning NGO, a prize of KRW 50 million to help launch the NGO’s program, as well as an opportunity to visit a Starbucks Community Store in another market. Participating NGOs may submit a proposal addressing one of the following topics: creating employment opportunities for vulnerable communities; expanding community outreach and engagement; providing skills training and self-reliance support; or a topic of choice aimed at solving a community problem. A total of three projects will be selected by a panel of professional judges, voting by customers and partners.

Starbucks opens fourth Community Store in Korea : Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks opens fourth Community Store in Korea

On November 23, Starbucks Coffee Korea opened its Juksun branch as the fourth Community Store in the market, dedicated to creating pathways to opportunities for young people leaving care homes to begin their adult lives. A portion of proceeds from the store will be donated to the Beautiful Foundation to support life skills development programs. […]

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At Starbucks, we have always been about bringing people together and strengthening the communities we serve. Across Asia, Starbucks is working with like-minded organizations to drive positive impact in local communities, while bringing our partners and customers together to leverage our scale for good and achieve meaningful change.

Providing Hunger Relief in the Philippines through Starbucks FoodShare program

In March, we expanded the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/starbucks-strengthens-commitment-to-hunger-relief-in-the-philippines/">Starbucks FoodShare food donation program</a>, which donates unsold food and distributes it to people facing hunger. A program that started with 40 stores in the Metro Manila area has now expanded to 238 stores across the Philippines.

Starbucks partner Juan Carlo “JC” Cruz, a store manager in Manila, has played a key role in bringing this program to life. His store at Ayala North Exchange donates its end-of-day food to the Philippine Food Bank Foundation, which then distributes it to children and under-resourced families.

“The FoodShare program opened my eyes to the fact that being a Starbucks partner goes beyond handcrafting beverages. It is about walking our talk in uplifting humanity through the different communities we are a part of,” says JC.

As the day ends, JC and his team sort through the unsold perishable food items, getting them ready for the Philippine Food Foundation to collect and distribute. Once checked for quality, food like the local sweet bread roll pandesal, Danish pastries, and sausage rolls are all donated to those in need.

As a partner and an active member of the community, JC has immersed himself in the program. “The FoodShare program elevates us in a way that we are able to show our dedication to fulfilling our social and civic responsibilities,” he says. “We always look for ways to help our community by joining organizations that advocate ending issues like hunger. As much as we can, we try to provide a greater impact, one store at a time.”

And JC can see the ripple effect on customers too.&nbsp; “ Programs like this raise awareness of the unseen struggles faced by the underprivileged,” he says.

Empowering Young People with The Starbucks Foundation Grants

The <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/supporting-youth-empowerment-hunger-relief-and-inclusion-diversity-in-asia-pacific/">Global Community Impact Grants</a> are part of The Starbucks Foundation’s commitment to invest US$30 million by 2030 to drive locally relevant impact. The Grants were announced in March 2022, and fund programs that create meaningful local impact, expanding on the company’s people positive ambition to enhance the well-being of all who connect with Starbucks.

In Asia Pacific, The Starbucks Foundation aims to invest in youth, and in 2022 awarded 24 grants across 10 markets in Asia Pacific, with a focus on uplifting, creating opportunities and building connections with young people.

Among the grantees is The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, the city’s largest youth service organization. The grant will support the Career Starter program, which aims to provide 60 young people with basic digital skills, internships, and core skills for work readiness.

“We are thrilled to work with Starbucks to launch the Career Starter that empowers young people and can unleash their potential,” says Vicky Kwong, Supervisor at The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups. “Career Starter will provide disadvantaged young people not only with digital skills, training workshops and job shadowing, but also with opportunities for internships and community services.”

With digital transformation and artificial intelligence reshaping the future workplace, teaching digital skills to young people is crucial to helping them reach their full potential. Beyond enhancing participants’ competitiveness and employability, the program aims to give young people a safe space to explore careers in the IT sector and more. To further support participants’ development of skills to succeed in the workplace, Starbucks partners will serve as guest mock interviewers to help build confidence and experience.

Elsewhere across the region, Starbucks is also promoting the love of reading with children in Cambodia, while uplifting girls and women in Malaysia through the support from the Starbucks Foundation.

Since 2017, Starbucks has worked with The Asia Foundation in Cambodia on a project called "Let's Read!”, which is all about building positive reading habits in children.

With Starbucks support, the project has brought together local talent to create storybooks, including “Kaldi and the Dancing Goats” and “A Treat for Everyone”, which were sold at local Starbucks stores to raise money for “Let’s Read!”. Starbucks has also supported efforts to put more Khmer language books in the hands of children, including a digital translation event that brought together young volunteers and language experts to translate 20 storybooks exploring women’s empowerment.

Commenting on the initiative, The Asia Foundation said: “Starbucks was an early and consistent supporter of “Let’s Read!”. Our collaboration with Starbucks has created fun and educational stories for children in Cambodia and built strong reading habits.”

Starbucks and The Asia Foundation will launch a local community reading campaign later this year, whilst conducting additional library refurbishments, and provide read aloud training in schools.

In Malaysia, Starbucks is contributing to the Vocational Training Opportunity Centre (VTOC) transformational project, a community-led initiative by YWCA Kuala Lumpur. The grant will be utilized over three years to enhance the VTOC courses, as well as equip the students with the knowledge and abilities required to thrive in an ever-changing, dynamic, and uncertain environment.

Kartiyani Palaniandy, who graduated from the program in 2017, reflects on her experience.

“The program really helped me build my confidence, both externally and within myself,” she says. “The program facilitators helped us get out of our shells and made us proud of ourselves and everything we are capable of. They taught us how to be brave, confident, and to think smarter. It really helped me a lot.”

When asked about the most useful skills she learned from the program, Kartiyani says beauty and hair. Today, Kartiyani is proudly self-employed, running her own makeup artist business – an achievement she credits to the skills she learned and confidence she gained through the program. She’s also an assistant teacher for the VTOC’s beauty care class.

No matter what goals other women and girls have, she thinks there is value in going through the program: “VTOC is a great place to find strength within ourselves, achieving things we didn’t think were possible. The facilitators have given us a helping hand and appreciated everything that we do. I truly believe that VTOC has made us all better versions of ourselves.”

As we build on the momentum of these inspiring initiatives, together with our partners, non-profit partners, and local communities, we’re committed to making a continued positive impact on the communities that we serve across Asia and beyond – one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.

Doing good together: How Starbucks is making communities stronger in Asia : Starbucks Stories Asia

Doing good together: How Starbucks is making communities stronger in Asia

At Starbucks, we have always been about bringing people together and strengthening the communities we serve. Across Asia, Starbucks is working with like-minded organizations to drive positive impact in local communities, while bringing our partners and customers together to leverage our scale for good and achieve meaningful change. Providing Hunger Relief in the Philippines through […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/doing-good-together-how-starbucks-is-making-communities-stronger-in-asia/

Located at a bustling intersection in Brisbane’s business district, Starbucks Edward Street welcomes customers from two entrances at the street level. Customers seeking a moment of tranquility can descend to the store’s lower floor and immerse themselves in botanical artwork depicting abstract coffee landscapes. Those looking for a change of scene when hosting work meetings can also make use of the store’s meeting room, which can be booked to cater for groups.

At this flagship store in Cambodia’s capital of Phnom Penh, customers are up for a treat at the Reserve bar, and under a light sculpture inspired by the coffee aroma. Here they can chat with Starbucks baristas and discover some of the finest coffees from around the world. A magnificent hand-painted mural of the Siren in a shape of a Cambodian Naga, illustrated by prominent local urban artists, Peap Tarr and Lisa Mam, highlight the distinct beauty of urban Khmer art while invite everyone to go upstairs and find a nice cozy spot to relax.

The city’s first flagship store is in the heart of Hong Kong's Causeway Bay district. Step inside to enjoy a stunning glass façade that brightens this premium urban retreat. Customers can take in the beautiful layers of light, materials, and textures, while enjoying Starbucks Reserve coffee or sampling a variety of tea blends at Hong Kong’s very first Teavana Bar. Don’t forget to look up at the sculpted ceiling, made from more than 330 triangular timber panels, inspired by the shape of coffee trees and landscapes of coffee farms.

As one of our first stores in Jaipur, the Pink City, this store is inspired by the grand architectural masterpieces in the city. The interior design of the store is filled with elements reminiscent to the city’s historic landscape. The light and colorful palette in the store strikes balance between joyful nostalgia and a contemporary coffeehouse atmosphere with thoughtful local custom-made artworks integrated into the interior of the store. In the main seating area, organza cloth murals with embroidery crafted using traditional Rajasthan handicraft technique are featured within the arches, creating a glimpse into the majestic scenery of a coffee farm. Beyond the bar at the intimate seating room are 12 custom pottery plates inspired by Jaipur’s famous blue pottery. Each plate tells a story of the coffee growing process and adorned with inspiration of fauna. 

Located in the heart of Bali, Indonesia, the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2019/starbucks-opens-one-of-a-kind-coffee-sanctuary-in-bali-indonesia/">Starbucks Dewata Coffee Sanctuary</a> is the perfect destination for coffee lovers to spend hours immersing themselves and learning about the coffee journey from seed to cup. Drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of the island, the store has been designed using local materials crafted by local artists and artisans. The store celebrates the unique and distinct flavors of Indonesian coffee and heritage, and the Indonesian farmers that make these coffees possible, while providing customers with a rich, interactive and memorable experience.

From coffee sourcing, processing, roasting, and brewing, the store will guide you through the entire seed-to-cup coffee journey. You can sign up for some of the workshops, get a guided tour or simply find your way around this unique store. If you are lucky, you might be able to see the green beans become full of flavour when roasted on site, at the recently opened <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/coffee-experience-center-at-starbucks-dewata/">Coffee Experience Centre</a>.

In Malaysia, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2021/starbucks-opens-largest-starbucks-reserve-store-in-malaysia/">Starbucks Reserve Tropicana Gardens</a> celebrates all things coffee. The layout of the store is designed in the shape of a whole coffee bean, with a large curvature and floor-to-ceiling windows. Featuring two bars: a main bar and a Reserve bar that offers six brewing methods, customers can explore a range of exotic coffees, ethically sourced from more than 30 countries, while enjoying unparalleled service from our coffee masters.

The 220 Queen Street store in Auckland, right in the heart of the Auckland Central Business District, is a hub for hot-deskers and a meeting place for all coffee lovers in the city. Featuring a newly designed and modern storefront and coffee bar, and vivid blue and green interiors, inspired by New Zealand coastal lines provide a calm and welcoming atmosphere. The hand-painted artwork featuring the Starbucks Siren is the best spot for a selfie. Anyone stepping foot in this space will leave with a renewed sense of energy.

Macapagal DT is one of the largest Starbucks stores in the Philippines. Although it is a drive thru store, the café extends throughout two large levels, with the bar as the centrepiece of the space. A common skywalk on the upper level connects the store with other buildings nearby. Touches of warm mahogany wood create a cozy third place for customers to relax in many of the different seating areas, while the custom timber artwork, depicting the different coffee regions around the world, adds a nice touch of colour to this impressive space.

For those traveling through Singapore, you shouldn’t miss the Jewel Changi Airport Store. Located in the airport, the two-story flagship store is a must-visit as it gives travelers a place to unwind over a cup of premium, single-origin coffee. Here customers are greeted by the beautifully layered wooden storefront that extends over the two floors, inspired by the textures of coffee farm landscapes. You can sit at the round bar and talk to the friendly baristas or if you want a more quiet place, on the upper floor, you will find the perfect atmosphere to relax and appreciate the unique original artwork collection featuring artists from Asia Pacific and beyond.

Opened in 2021 to mark Starbucks 22nd year in South Korea, the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2021/beautiful-new-starbucks-store-opens-in-south-korea/">Starbucks Byuldabang store</a> in Seoul offers an immersive Starbucks Experience. The store features a convenient pick-up area at on the store front for those on-the-go and a cozy fireplace towards the back, for those looking to wind down and relax. The modern space also boasts a coffee seminar area for workshops and different seats and spaces to cater for different occasions. But the main highlight of this store is the large digital art wall installation, portraying digital artwork that rotates seasonally, showcasing beautiful scenes from Starbucks Hacienda Alsacia farm in Costa Rica or the journey of the Starbucks Siren.

A must visit for anyone in Hualien City, the Starbucks Hualien Bay Mall is a store like none other. The building for this drive-thru store, was designed by the acclaimed Japanese Architect, Kengo Kuma, out of 29 repurposed shipping containers. Just as Starbucks cup sleeves insulate customers’ hands from a hot beverage, “wood sleeves” were installed inside the white shipping containers to create a warm and comfortable space for customers. The intersecting container arrangement creates a tall and intriguing structure, that becomes even more interesting when you head inside to enjoy a view of the Hualien County Mountain ranges with a beverage in hand.

Offering panoramic views over the iconic Chao Phraya River that flows through Bangkok’s vibrant urban center, the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2021/starbucks-unveils-largest-store-in-thailand/">Starbucks Reserve Chao Phraya Riverfront store</a> is perfect for relaxing with a signature handcrafted beverage in hand or why not enjoying the sunset with an espresso martini from the mixology bar. The store is the first to offer many features, including the first to ever serve Starbucks unique Muan Jai™ Blend, which means “wholehearted happiness,” sourced in collaboration with Northern Thai coffee farming communities. As you spend time here, you will find surprises at every step. From the curated artwork including a piece by Thai artist Rukkit Kuanhawate, to the ceiling inspired by the Yi Peng lantern festival; this is a place to spend time at and unwind. Enjoy your favorite beverage from the mezzanine or on the outdoor terrace, overlooking the river, while you continue to plan your day around Bangkok.

Surrounded by the lush greenery of Summer Park, Starbucks Ecopark is just 15km from central Hanoi. Striking a balance between rural and urban aesthetics, this store offers a truly unique Starbucks Experience. With the use of natural finishes such as wooden louvers that run through the ceiling walls, this store amplifies the relaxing mood of the surrounding gardens. Why not grab a handcrafted beverage and soak up the calming vibes?

13 Starbucks stores to visit in Asia Pacific : Starbucks Stories Asia

13 Starbucks stores to visit in Asia Pacific

Visit these 13 beautiful Starbucks Stores in your next trip in Asia.