First store with Reserve coffee bar experience in the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA)

The store combines coffee theatre with local design elements

Kuwait was the start of Starbucks journey in the MENA region, with the first store opening 18 years ago in Kuwait on the Souq Sharq waterfront. Today, Starbucks introduces an immersive coffee destination with the Crystal Tower store, where the theatre of coffee led by expert Coffee Master baristas, takes centre stage.

The opening of the first store with a Reserve coffee bar experience, in the heart of Kuwait’s dynamic business district, represents Starbucks uncompromising pursuit of elevating the coffee experience for its customers. Commenting on the store opening, Graeme Gardiner, Senior Operations Manager, Starbucks Kuwait said: “We are extremely proud to introduce this special store that showcases our passion for coffee in this region. With an immersive and sensory coffee bar, the new store defines a new opportunity bringing customers closer to their coffee - and Starbucks – more than ever before.”

Featuring the company’s rare, small-lot Reserve coffees roasted at its Seattle Roastery, the Reserve bar gives baristas a platform to engage in a dialogue with customers over unique brewing methods. These methods include the Clover™ Brewing System, pour over, siphon, chemex, and Black Eagle manual espresso machine. Only available in limited quantities, each Reserve coffee is one-of-a-kind, sourced from coffee growing regions in Latin America, Africa and the Asia Pacific islands.

Three Reserve coffees will be on offer at the store opening – Nicara Elsuyatal, Brazil Bourbon and Colombia Andino. The store will also offer Starbucks core range of food and beverages that are known and loved by customers in Kuwait.

The store’s design is also unique – the name of the tower provided inspiration for the warm wooden interiors, with triangle shaped panels reminiscent of natural crystal stones. Existing signature features were also integrated into the beautiful design, including a coffered concrete ceiling and exposed brick surfaces.