Starbucks Welcomes First Customers in Malta

World famous coffeehouse experience debuts to local customers in the heart of centuries-old capital, Valletta

VALLETTA, Malta – June 1, 2019 – Today, Starbucks opens the doors at its first store in Malta, bringing local customers the iconic coffeehouse experience enjoyed by millions around the world each day. Located on the stunning Valletta Waterfront, the new café invites customers in to relax and explore some of the world’s highest quality, ethically sourced coffees amid a warm and welcoming, beautifully designed store environment. The opening also marks a special milestone for Starbucks internationally, as Malta becomes the company’s 80^th global market.

“We’re humbled and delighted to introduce the Starbucks Experience to customers in Malta and hope our store will become not only a destination for an exceptional coffee, but also a gathering place for the local community,” said Robert Lynch, vice president of Retail Operations, Starbucks Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “We look forward to sharing with our Maltese customers our deep pride and enthusiasm for coffee, brewed and served by a world-class team of passionate, knowledgeable baristas.”

The first Starbucks in Malta was designed to reflect both the country’s vibrant culture and the relaxed romance of the Mediterranean. Drawing on the Valletta’s heritage as a trading hub, wood, marble and dark, sophisticated finishes contrast with the lighter stone façade of the city’s iconic Waterfront. The design is also reminiscent of Starbucks own mercantile roots in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market, where the company began with a single storefront, selling only whole-bean coffee. The nautical motif is continued in the story of the Starbucks Siren – whose origin is found in Mediterranean seafaring lore and comes to life in an artistic feat of floor-to-ceiling wood marquetery. Much as the colourful doors of the Waterfront have served for centuries as beacons for traders’ ships, the Siren has been a beacon of the Starbucks brand since 1971. All this art and design comes together to create a stunning third place – between home and work – where customers can recharge and connect with friends and family.

“Everything we’ve done in bringing Starbucks to Malta has been done with our customers at the centre,” said Malcolm Saliba, general manager, Starbucks Malta. “While the experience will be consistent with the values and store atmosphere that Starbucks is known for globally, what customers in Malta will see is an environment created bespoke for them, reflecting the beauty of the island’s dynamic culture.”

Starbucks will bring customers in Malta a wide range of coffee beverages, from classic favourites like the café latte to bold innovations such as nitrogen-infused cold brew – each expertly and passionately handcrafted by baristas who have been entrusted with delivering an unrivalled customer experience. Each beverage will be made with the world’s highest quality Arabica coffee, all of which is verified as 99 percent ethically sourced through its Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices programme, developed in partnership with Conservation International. Starbucks proudly serve a range of its classic coffees – from bold Espresso Roast to the balanced Pike Place Roast, which is brewed daily in each of Starbucks stores globally.

At the core of all it does is Starbucks Mission Statement: to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighbourhood at a time. And while the third place is designed to do just that, the company recognises its responsibility to give back to the communities it serves and being a leader in sustainability. The company takes a holistic approach to reducing the waste created by its stores. This includes in-store initiatives like offering a 25 cent discount to all customers who bring in a reusable mug or tumbler and offering plastic cutlery only on request, as well as global, industry-leading programmes like the NextGen Cup Challenge, which seeks to develop a more widely-recyclable paper cup. The company has also pledged to eliminate plastic straws from all its stores globally by 2020.

Starbucks Malta is operated by db Group, who holds the exclusive license for operating and developing the Starbucks brand in the country. db Group is one of the largest employers in Malta, and the first Starbucks store employs eight full-time partners (employees). db Group plans to grow its family of Starbucks partners as they develop new stores in the months and years ahead. db Group shares Starbucks commitment to doing good, working closely with the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation, a national charity serving a range of disadvantaged communities. Recently, the db Group also launched the db Group Foundation, which raises funds for a variety of local and national charity efforts.

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About Starbucks:

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 30,000 stores around the globe, Starbucks is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at stories.starbucks.com and starbucks.com.  

About db Group:

The db Group has grown from a family-run business into Malta’s foremost corporate player in the tourism, hospitality & leisure sector and beyond. The db Group has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality & leisure industry, leading with the largest hotels on the Maltese islands. The vision of the group is to be rated by guests amongst the best in Europe. The group strives for excellence in everything it does.Learn more at dbgroupmalta.com.