When Starbucks opened its doors in 1971, fresh-roasted coffee and loose-leaf tea was scooped by hand into wax paper bags, with the black ink letters of a rubber stamp declaring its contents – like Sumatra, House Blend and Italian Roast.

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But by the time Starbucks transformed from a whole-bean coffee retailer to an Italian-style coffeehouse in 1987, the packaging became a vessel for storytelling. First came coffee stamps, illustrated stickers that were themselves little pieces of art. Designs could be playful, romantic or bold, much like the coffee itself. Then in 1995 came Blue Note Blend, the first coffee to be sold in packaging printed with colorful graphics. 

These new “rollstock” packages offered an even larger canvas for sharing each coffee’s unique story through images and words. The packaging often incorporated stamp designs that echoed the old-school stickers until 2011 with the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2011/starbucks-celebrates-40-years-of-great-coffee-with-new-look-new-global-prod/">update to the Starbucks logo and brand identity</a> and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2012/starbucks-blonde-roast-coffee-the-lighter-roast-perfected-available-in-reta/">launch of Starbucks® Blonde Roasted coffees</a>.

Designing a new core coffee bag can be a daunting task. Unlike seasonal coffees such as&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-christmas-blend-the-story-behind-the-beloved-holiday-brew/">Starbucks® Christmas Blend</a> (or even <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2017/20-years-of-starbucks-holiday-cups/">holiday cups</a>!) core coffee packaging does not change every year. In fact, the design is intended to last at least 10 years. So, how does the bag tell the story of the beans inside?

Sergio Alvarez, coffee/tea development lead on Starbucks Coffee team, partnered with the Starbucks Creative Studio to share the stories behind the beans – starting with tasting notes and descriptive words to highlight the flavors of each unique coffee blend.

“We have a very unique and thoughtful way that we develop coffee blends at Starbucks and we wanted to make sure that came through in how we describe them,” Alvarez said. “Depending on the blend, depending on the roast and depending on the region, there are different flavors that we associate with each of these special coffees.”

Although the coffee flavor profiles are the same delicious coffees customers know and love, the new packaging uses more descriptive and culinary terms to describe the flavor notes – like Veranda Blend®, which was updated from “mellow and soft” to “toasted malt and milk chocolate” and Italian Roast, which went from “roasty and sweet” to “dark cocoa and toasted marshmallow.”

Alvarez and the Coffee team also shared the history of many of Starbucks most beloved blends to inspire the designers. Organic Yukon Blend®, for example, was created in 1971 after a customer requested a coffee that would help keep his fishermen going during the fishing season in the Bering Sea. In the new packaging, Yukon Blend evokes that same independent spirit of Alaska with a mountainous scene set in the Yukon Valley.

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“Our coffee reminds us of people, or moments, or experiences, and we were able to explore that in the way we approach our coffee packaging,” Alvarez said.

Translating those stories into art was a fun challenge for the Creative Studio’s designers and illustrators, as they sought to weave together past, present and future while tapping into Starbucks new creative brand expression.

“Our legacy has used hand-done illustration to bring warmth and brand connection. We wanted to continue to tie a thread to our new packaging,” said Derek Shimizu, associate creative director for the Creative Studio. “We also wanted to make sure we were staying modern while looking forward into our brand.”

The strategic selection of colors is one of the most important elements of the design. With every creative brand expression since the packaging refresh of 2011, and again with the most current update from 2013, designers have used palettes of gold, copper and purple to signify roast intensity. The new designs continue using those visual cues to identify Blonde (gold), Medium (copper) and Dark (purple) roasts.

Now, what to draw? Illustrators would often start with iconography and motifs that recall past designs. An Italian scooter found its way again on to the front of Italian Roast, as did the roses that adorn Caffè Verona®. And it wouldn’t be Komodo Dragon Blend® without its eponymous lizard. They also worked to incorporate coffee cherries and botanicals into the designs to highlight the origins of coffee.

Designers also consider what they call the “architecture” of each bag to make it easy to shop for their coffees, whether they are in Starbucks stores or the grocery aisle. They created a badge system that is consistent across the roast spectrum with design details that clearly identify roast and tasting notes. They highlighted Starbucks commitment to responsibly grown coffee by bringing the ethical sourcing stamp to the front, underscoring the company’s commitment to positively impacting the lives and livelihoods of coffee farmers and their communities. There's also a traceability code on the back of the bags sold in Starbucks stores that can connect customers in the U.S. and Canada to where the coffee is grown using the <a href="https://traceability.starbucks.com/#/">Starbucks Digital Traceability tool</a>.

“Our current packaging was artful and expressive, but every bag had a different typography, different icon placement, which made it a little bit hard to navigate or find where you were within the roast,” said Shimizu. “We wanted make all of those elements straightforward and easy for the customer to navigate with this refresh.”

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/starbucks-debuts-new-whole-bean-coffee-packaging/">Learn more about the five new coffee bag designs</a>, and read on for a deeper dive into three of them.

Veranda Blend is a smooth and mellow Starbucks® Blonde Roasted Latin American coffee, and its packaging makes you feel like you are sipping coffee in a lush garden. The bag is grounded in golden hues, with delicate hummingbirds flitting in and out of the scene, a nod to the coffee’s lighter roast. Accents of a Starbucks dark <a href="https://creative.starbucks.com/color/">“house green”</a> and periwinkle on the coffee cherries and foliage further highlight this coffee’s story. “With the illustration, I wanted to transport our customer to a lively veranda in Latin America and then to give a sense of place,” said designer and illustrator Yumi Reid. “I wanted people to feel like sipping amazing coffee the coffee farmers created there – really feel like being there in Latin America where this amazing coffee comes from.”

Named after Starbucks first store, in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, Starbucks® Pike Place® Roast is served fresh every day in Starbucks stores around the world. A smooth, well-rounded Medium Roasted blend of Latin American beans with subtly rich flavors of cocoa and praline, makes it the perfect brewed coffee.

Bridget Shilling, Pike Place Roast’s illustrator and designer, felt a special connection to the Pike Place store – her husband worked at the market for several years.

“Being assigned to work on Pike Place was a special moment for me. I just think there's something magical about going to the Pike Place store and celebrating our history as a brand,” Shilling said.

She was inspired to showcase the heritage of the store with a design inspired by old-fashioned luggage stickers on a rich, copper background, and included the original brown logo, a coffee stamp, and Pike Place’s iconic Public Market Center sign. But her favorite is her homage to Rachel the Piggy Bank, the life-size bronze sculpture that has served as the market’s mascot since 1986. (There’s also a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2017/hidden-history-at-starbucks-pike-place-market-store/">replica covered in coffee beans</a> that stands sentinel above the front door of the 1912 Pike Starbucks store.)

Sumatra coffee has been on the Starbucks menu since 1971, and the Sumatran tiger which lives on the Indonesian island, has been its symbol ever since its first coffee stamp. To convey its bold and full-bodied flavor, designer and illustrator Abby McCartin used deep-purple colors to emphasize the dark roast of Starbucks® Sumatra with pops of greens and blues along with foil on the tiger stripes and plants.

“I created an interesting effect by adjusting the scale of the tiger in relation to the palm trees and jungle landscape, noting the similarities between shapes of the tiger and palm leaves. Layering them adds an element of fun and mystery; you definitely see the tiger stripes at first glance, but once you look closer you find more,” McCartin said.

Leslie Wolford, who first joined the company as a barista 30 years ago when coffee was still scooped into paper bags, is proud of the new whole-bean packaging and looking forward to seeing it on shelves.

“Everybody brought their ideas and their own expression and elements to the table to bring our coffees to life in a different way,” said Wolford, who is now a coffee/tea development lead for the Coffee team. “I think it's just that evolution of people, partnerships and growth in the company and how we tell our story, and thread that back to who we are as a company and how we're moving forward into the next iteration of what Starbucks is as a brand.”

New packaging designs are available on our <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/you-can-still-work-from-starbucks-with-virtual-backgrounds/">Virtual Backgrounds</a> page.

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Lineup of newly designed Starbucks coffee bags

Starbucks whole-bean coffee packaging has a brand-new look. We’ll go behind the scenes to learn about the inspiration behind the new bag designs.

Introducing the next generation of Starbucks coffee art

Stories to inspire and nurture the human spirit

Starbucks Stories

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Starbucks Corporation

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Whether it’s a late-night study session or an early morning dash before class, here’s your back-to-school guide to some of the visit-worthy Starbucks stores near colleges and universities.

University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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Let’s start with the letter A and the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1015444/univ-of-alabama-paul-bryant-museum-807-paul-w-bryant-dr-tuscaloosa-al-35401-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Alabama Paul W. Bryant Museum</a>, which celebrates the history of University of Alabama and legendary Crimson Tide football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. The spacious, light-filled location is infused with school spirit – from the life-size elephant mural (and homage to the school mascot) that stands tall above the staircase, to the graphic lettering with the school’s rallying cry, “Roll Tide.”

Arizona State University – Tempe, Arizona

Next up is the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1024149/university-forest-116-e-university-drive-105-tempe-az-85281-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University &amp; Forest</a> store near the Arizona State University campus in downtown Tempe. The location, which opened in November 2019 features vibrant desert hues, and a patio perfect for enjoying those warm Arizona breezes.&nbsp;ASU has a special place in the hearts of Starbucks partners, more than 8,500 partners have earned tuition-free bachelor’s degrees through the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2022/dont-limit-yourself-meet-four-graduates-of-the-tuition-covered-starbucks-college-achievement-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks College Achievement Plan</a> since the program began in 2014.

Gallaudet University – Washington, D.C.

Gallaudet University was founded in 1864 and is the world’s only university uniquely designed to educate Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1009470/signing-store-6th-and-h-625-h-street-b-washington-dc-200025094-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Signing Store at 6th &amp; H </a>near the Gallaudet campus is the nation’s first American Sign Language (ASL)-centric store, where store partners are proficient in ASL, whether they are hearing, hard of hearing or Deaf. The design features a custom mural with a host of letters, signs and symbols representing English, ASL, Deaf culture and coffee.

Howard University – Washington, D.C.

Just a couple of miles across town and you’ll find Howard University, one of more than 100 historically Black colleges and universities in the United States, and one of the top research universities in the nation. The <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/16358/howard-university-2225-georgia-avenue-nw-1st-floor-washington-dc-200" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Howard University store</a> reflects its proud heritage through the design – with its alma mater etched on a wooden feature wall, modern graphics depicting the iconic clock tower and bison mascot, and a tile backsplash in the school’s signature shade of blue.

U.S. Naval Academy – Annapolis, Maryland

The <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1020696/122-main-street-122-main-street-annapolis-md-214012003-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">122 Main Street Starbucks</a> in downtown Annapolis, Maryland is an anchor in this seaside community near the U.S. Naval Academy – it is a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/starbucks-military-family-stores-a-place-to-connect/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Military Family Store</a> and a favorite destination for midshipmen on liberty. The store features a nautical theme, with watery hues and a custom art piece made with ship’s rope to form undulating pattern like ocean waves.

The Ohio State University – Columbus, Ohio

Running late to class? You can grab your coffee with time to spare at the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1030269/pickup-osu-neil-ave-11-th-1660-neil-ave-columbus-oh-43201-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pickup Store at Neil Ave &amp; 11th</a> on The Ohio State University’s campus in Columbus, Ohio. This <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/ways-to-order/pickup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks® Pickup</a> location, which opened in March 2021, was designed for a streamlined store experience, with a status board to helpfully track orders.

Shippensburg University – Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

The Ezra Lehman Memorial Library sits in the center of Shippensburg University’s campus and is at the heart of student life. The <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/17439/shippensburg-univ-lehman-library-1871-old-main-drive-ezra-lehman-memoria-shippensbu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shippensburg University Lehman Library store</a> is a welcoming place in this friendly college town, located about half-way between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia in south-central Pennsylvania’s Cumberland Valley.

Tec Santa Fe – Mexico City

The Starbucks store on the Santa Fe campus of the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, called “Tec Santa Fe” for short, is one of the most unique college cafés in Mexico. The <a href="https://www.starbucks.com.mx/stores" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tec Santa Fe store</a>, which first opened its doors in January 2018, gets high marks for its modern design, featuring a distinctive mural of a siren holding a coffee plant created by the Mexican-born graphic designer and illustrator, Víctor Meléndez. Building on Starbucks commitment to sustainability, store partners have the opportunity to plant trees in the green areas of the campus.

University of Tilburg – Tilburg, Netherlands

The city of Tilburg in the southern Netherlands is known for its entrepreneurial spirit – so it’s no wonder it is also home to the University of Tilburg and one of the world’s top business schools. The <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator?map=51.578598,5.071489,9z&amp;place=Universiteitslaan,%20Tilburg,%20Netherlands" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tilburg store</a> features a modern design, with light fixtures that recall the shade of blue that’s popular in Dutch pottery. It’s a perfect jumping off point to explore the city, where you can see the classroom where a 13-year-old Vincent Van Gogh learned to draw and learn about the history of textile manufacturing at the nearby TextielMuseum.

University of Washington – Seattle

The <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator?map=47.65561,-122.30859,12z&amp;place=Suzzallo%20Library,%20Seattle,%20WA,%20USA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington Suzzallo Library store</a> is an inspiring place to study. The café, located just inside the main doors of the gothic building, honors its grand architecture with a design that is consistent with the historic beauty of the building. It offers comfortable seating for more than 100 customers with a mix of lounge chairs, soft sofas, café and bar seating, as well as community tables. It’s also a great place to recharge (literally!) with easy access to electrical outlets.

Widener University – Chester, Pennsylvania

One last store before we put down our pencils, and it’s a good one. It’s the café at the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1028900/widener-univ-university-center-one-university-place-university-center-chester-pa-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University Center at Widener University</a>, Chester, Pennsylvania, not far from Philadelphia. The bustling student center also has a post office, bank, convenience store and ATMs, making the store’s curvilinear banquette under the swooping ceiling and rosy mural a cozy place to relax after class.

Interior of Starbucks Store in Santa Fe campus with a mural of a siren holding a coffee plant

Here’s your back-to-school guide of some of the Starbucks stores at colleges and universities that are worth a visit to campus.

12 Starbucks college stores that are top of the class

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As part of our commitment to a sustainable future, Starbucks is working with Volvo Cars to install EV charging stations at Starbucks stores. Up to 60 DC fast chargers will be built on the picturesque 1,350-mile route from Seattle to Denver, along I-90, I-84 and I-70.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The very first stations, powered by ChargePoint, have been installed at a Starbucks in Provo, Utah. This <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/starbucks-affirms-commitment-to-a-planet-positive-future-through-innovation-and-learnings-from-store-partners/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pilot plan,</a> announced in March, is part of Starbucks expansion of renewable energy and decarbonization projects in the U.S.&nbsp;

This scenic artery will unlock to zero-emission electric vehicle drivers some of the West’s most iconic locations. Snoqualmie Pass in Washington. The Snake River in Idaho. Arches National Park in Utah. Tourist destinations like Park City and Vail, and major community hubs like Boise and Salt Lake City.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The route represents the American road trip at its best.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By the end of 2022, Starbucks intends to have chargers installed at up to 15 Starbucks stores, roughly every 100 miles on the route.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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With a goal of reducing its global carbon footprint by 50% by 2030, Starbucks is reimagining the store experience for greater connection, ease and planet-positive impact. Starting to offer EV charging at select pilot locations is just one of the ways Starbucks aspires to be a <a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstories.starbucks.com%2Fstories%2F2020%2Fstarbucks-solidifies-pathway-to-a-planet-positive-future%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7CCaroline.Shannon%40edelman.com%7Cd703d52b16b84a832ad008da6f203b24%7Cb824bfb3918e43c2bb1cdcc1ba40a82b%7C0%7C0%7C637944481469433232%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=W51ozKzapZmdVdMcto3ZwU4v6TjIEpt9Cn0e22qEZ0k%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resource-positive company</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

ChargePoint’s DC fast chargers can bring the Volvo C40 Recharge, for example, from a 20 percent to a 90 percent charge in about 40 minutes. Charging times are dependent on factors such as outdoor temperature, current battery temperature, charging equipment, battery condition and car condition.&nbsp;

For more information, click <a href="https://www.media.volvocars.com/us/en-us/media/pressreleases/303304/volvo-cars-and-starbucks-finalize-locations-and-begin-installing-chargepoint-electric-vehicle-charge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.

A man and a woman walking outside of a Starbucks store towards a blue volvo car charging

As part of our commitment to a sustainable future, Starbucks is working with Volvo Cars to install EV charging stations at Starbucks stores.

Find an EV Charger at Starbucks stores from Seattle to Denver

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Are you longing for a little adventure? Perhaps you’d like to sip a cappuccino on the terrace in Milan, or watch surfers catch the next wave in South Africa. Let’s pack our (virtual) bags for a trip around the world to visit some of the most unique Starbucks stores perfect for your next vacation.

Antigua means “ancient” in Spanish, and the historic pastel-hued buildings that line its cobblestone streets have stories to tell. Starbucks opened its <a href="https://historias.starbucks.com/en-es/press/2022/starbucks-celebrates-1500th-store-milestone-in-latin-america-unveils-first-cafe-in-antigua-guatemala/">1,500th store in Latin America and the Caribbean</a> in what was once a private residence dating back to the 1930s just steps from the iconic Santa Catalina Arch. The Starbucks design team restored many of the home’s original architectural features and worked with local artists and designers to showcase Guatemala’s coffee heritage and capture the artistic, warm and colorful spirit of the region. After a day of exploring the city’s beautiful ruins and monuments (Antigua is a <a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/65/">UNESCO World Heritage Site</a>), relax in the store’s serene inner courtyard with a cup of locally grown <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/3/whole-bean">Guatemala Antigua</a> coffee.

Head 3,000 miles south on the Pan-American Highway and you’ll reach out next destination, the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1019831/panamericana-sur-carr-panamericana-sur-km-26-62-lurin-lima-lim-0000">Panamericana Sur</a> store near Lima, Peru. Here, you can fuel up at the drive-thru on your way to the beach or visit the walk-up window and relax under a green umbrella on the patio. It is the first store in Latin America to be built using recycled shipping containers, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2013/innovative-new-drive-thrus/">part of a Starbucks green-building initiative</a> to save water, energy and improve air quality.

A spin across the globe takes us to the Asia Pacific coffee-growing region and the Starbucks Dewata Coffee Experience in Bali, Indonesia for an exploration into the world of Indonesian coffee. The journey begins from the moment you step through the front door with a terrace filled with Arabica coffee trees, which then opens into interconnected spaces where visitors are invited to rake coffee beans or try coffee bean de-pulping and washing during harvest seasons. This immersive coffee sanctuary, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2019/starbucks-opens-one-of-a-kind-coffee-sanctuary-in-bali-indonesia/">which first opened its doors in 2019</a>, features <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/coffee-experience-center-at-starbucks-dewata/">a new Coffee Experience Center</a> where customers can learn about the art and science behind sourcing, roasting, and brewing coffee – bringing the coffee journey full circle from bean to cup.

Set sail north from Bali across the Java Sea and Gulf of Thailand to Bangkok, and you’ll find the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2021/starbucks-unveils-largest-store-in-thailand/">Starbucks Reserve® Chao Phraya Riverfront store</a>. The location, which serves small-lot Starbucks Reserve coffees and Thailand’s own <a href="https://www.starbucks.co.th/product/muan-jai-blend/">Muan Jai Blend</a>, is the largest Starbucks in the country and celebrates Thai culture with a mezzanine ceiling that features beautifully crafted lanterns in a nod to the city’s Loy Krathong festival. The crowning jewel is the outdoor terrace, which offers panoramic views of Bangkok’s skyline and the bustling Chao Phraya River, also known as the “River of Kings.”

A flight west brings us to the shores of the Persian Gulf in the United Arab Emirates, where you’ll find the <a href="https://www.starbucks.ae/en/reserve-store-starbucks-bluewaters-island">Starbucks Reserve Bluewaters Island</a> off the shores of Dubai, which has the distinction of being the 1,000th Starbucks store in the Middle East and North Africa region. The location, which features an eye-catching interior and spectacular outdoor seating, welcomes visitors catching a ride on the nearby Ain Dubai observation wheel.

Now heading northwest cross the Arabian Peninsula to North Africa, we’ll find ourselves on the Nile River. The <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1030243/nile-city-boat-zamalek-cairo-c-na-eg">Nile City Boat</a> store in Cairo, Egypt, is designed to showcase its magnificent views of the legendary river, with an open-air patio perfect for the watching the ships sailing by.

North across the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea is Ayvalik, a seaside town on the western coast of Turkey with long sandy beaches surrounded by hills filled with pine and olive trees. Located in a former olive oil and soap factory, the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1032095/ayvalik-kirlangic-150-evler-ataturk-blv-10400-ayvalik-balikesir-10-1">Ayvalik Kirlangic</a> store has a unique design which combines inspiration from the local architecture with tones and design elements borrowed from nearby buildings. &nbsp;

A half-day’s drive takes us to the cosmopolitan city of Istanbul. Nearly 20 years after arriving in the city, Starbucks opened the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1026340/tunel-narmanli-han-istiklal-caddesi-istanbul-34-34430-tr">Narmanli Han</a> store here, its 500th store in the market. The historic location is situated on the famous Istiklal Avenue, with stunning views of the surrounding hills from the balcony above. Or enjoy the local atmosphere outside in the courtyard near the bubbling fountain to soothe the senses.

Another spin of the globe brings us to Milan, one of the global capitals of fashion and design. After a visit to the Duomo di Milano cathedral, stroll across the piazza to the <a href="https://www.starbucksreserve.com/en-us/locations/milano">Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Milan</a>. Here, you can immerse yourself in the world of coffee, watch Master Roasters roast the small-batch coffees Starbucks Reserve is known for, and choose some beans from the scoop bar for the trip home. Cap off the visit with a Nitro Chocolate Cream at a café table in a bronze bird cage out on the terrace or an Aperol Spritz at the marble-topped Arriviamo Bar. Can’t make it to Italy? There are five more <a href="https://www.starbucksreserve.com/">Starbucks Reserve Roastery</a> locations around the world, including Seattle, Chicago, New York, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Now we’ll head up to London for a stop at <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/2944/greenwich-the-o-2-the-o-2-london-eng-se-10-0-bb-gb">Greenwich – The O2 store</a>, located one of the British capital’s most popular entertainment venues, O2 Arena. Here you’ll discover an enticing and bold space full of color, light, and fun. Bespoke artwork creates an energizing place to meet with friends before heading off to the show.

11. Muizenberg, South Africa

A 12-hour flight south from London to Cape Town brings us to a beachside hamlet of Muizenberg, South Africa, known for its surfing community and brightly-painted beach huts. Enjoy the town’s laid back vibe from the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1030790/muizenberg-muizenberg-beach-phase-4-beach-road-cape-town-wc-7">Muizenberg store</a>, where customers can enjoy watching the sunset over the beach through the store’s glazed façade, as well as the ocean-inspired Siren artwork and bar.

Let’s venture back east to the grounds of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace. In the Outer Gardens, you’ll find the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2021/starbucks-first-greener-store-in-japan-aims-to-cut-waste/">Wadakura Fountain Park store</a>, which serves as a hub to test and scale new sustainability strategies. Here, what’s old is new – with repurposed materials that celebrates circularity from artwork created using recycled canvas and fishing nets to floor tiles made from coffee grounds.

You can find another exciting store dedicated to sustainability innovation in China at the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2021/inside-starbucks-first-greener-store-in-china/">Shanghai Greener Store</a>. The location features recycled and lower-impact building materials such as wood reclaimed from the renovation of other Starbucks stores with interior elements designed to be recycled, upcycled or biodegraded. Even the aprons are greener, made from recycled Starbucks cold cups using advanced plastic-to-textile technologies.

If you enjoy sipping your coffee alfresco, then venture over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1032391/carter-road-union-park-road-carter-road-mumbai-mh-400050-in">Carter Road store</a> in&nbsp;Mumbai, India – where all the seating is outdoors. The café, located in the coastal suburb of Bandra, is surrounded by lush plants and palm trees. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy the ocean breezes from the Arabian Sea while you watch the world zip by on the nearby seaside promenade.

15. St. Ann Parish, Jamaica

Over in the Americas, you can catch a chill vibe in St. Ann Parish on the northern shores of Jamaica. The Starbucks <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator?map=18.433558,-77.17427,9z&amp;place=St.%20Ann%20Parish,%20Jamaica">Drax Hall Plaza store</a>&nbsp;is the market, and a perfect spot to relax and recharge on your way to nearby shopping or the beach. While you’re there, snap a selfie in front of one of its pastel island-inspired murals created by a local artist.

16. West Palm Beach, Florida

Now let’s follow the ocean waves from the beaches of the Caribbean to the shores of Florida’s West Palm Beach. Here you’ll find the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1030803/s-rosemary-ave-hibiscus-st-701-south-rosemary-avenue-west-palm-beach-fl-33401">Starbucks at Rosemary Square</a>, with a bright, airy palette evoking the breezy feel of Palm Beach, from the sweeping light fixtures overhead to the nuanced coral details on the outdoor columns by the patio. A mural of the Starbucks Siren is front and center, beckoning customers inside for a luxurious escape.

17. Virginia Beach, Virginia

Head north up the East Coast and you’ll reach the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1031589/general-booth-nimmo-hickman-place-2160-general-booth-blvd-virginia-beach-va-23454-us">General Booth &amp; Nimmo, Hickman Place store</a> – a place where you’re sure to feel at home. The store is located in one of Virginia’s 50 most historical residences, once owned by the Hickman family back in 1832. To preserve and honor the house’s history, the design of the café area merges the contemporary with the historical, combining two stories into one space amplified through lighting and vertical screens. Look closely, you might even spot original portraits of the Hickman family!

From Virginia, take a road trip north on I-95 to New York City to explore a few of the Big Apple’s most illustrious locations. We’ll start at the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator?map=40.722536,-73.997959,14z&amp;place=Spring%20St%20&amp;%20Crosby%20St,%20New%20York,%20NY,%20USA">Spring &amp; Crosby store</a>, one of the NYC originals, opening its doors in the heart of SoHo in 1995. You may recognize it as setting for scenes from movies and tv shows, such as Carrie Bradshaw and her friends on “And Just Like That.” The moody palette provides a cool backdrop to the bright coffee bar and features brass detailing and lighting that guides customers through the space using a hierarchy of light.

Head north to Midtown, and you’ll reach the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/11599/31st-7th-370-7th-avenue-new-york-ny-100013901-us">31st &amp; 7th store</a>&nbsp; across from Penn Station. Its bright and welcoming color palate welcomes weary travelers, with a bold Siren mural that evokes the brave spirit of the Statue of Liberty herself.

If you’re a techie, you’ll want to check out the new <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2021/starbucks-pickup-and-amazon-go-collaborate-to-launch-new-store-concept-in-new-york-city/">Starbucks Pickup with Amazon Go</a> on <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1032137/59th-park-lex-w-amazon-go-111-east-59th-st-new-york-ny-10022-us">59th Street between Park &amp; Lexington Avenues</a>. The store is a combination of a Starbucks Pickup and Amazon Go, utilizing the order ahead feature in the Starbucks app and Amazon Go’s Just Walk Out technology to create an easy checkout experience, alongside a modernized lounge that features individual workspaces and expanded tables with power outlets and USB ports.

For those who like their coffee on ice – check out the store at the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator?map=47.704564,-122.323861,11z&amp;place=kraken%20community">Kraken Community Iceplex</a> in Seattle. The location overlooks the practice rink for the National Hockey League Seattle Kraken and welcomes both junior skaters and die-hard hockey fans alike. If you’re lucky, you may see the face of the Siren herself resurface the ice on the facility’s Zamboni machine! The location is also one of <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/starbucks-expands-commitment-in-underserved-communities-across-the-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks Community Stores</a>,&nbsp;which helps promote economic development and opportunity in underserved communities by hiring from the community, partnering with nonprofits and working with local artists, and serve as a space for neighborhood events and programs.

Let’s conclude our tour with a visit to the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator?map=48.995774,-122.751483,10z&amp;place=Blaine,%20WA,%20USA">Peace Portal Drive store</a> in Blaine, Washington near the border of the United States and Canada. Inside you'll find touches of Pacific Northwest regional modernism with soaring beams and exposed wood ceilings. And outside, the exterior takes inspiration from a lighthouse that once sat on a pier nearby – a shining symbol of peace and harmony.

From a historic home in Guatemala to a store made from repurposed shipping containers in Peru – here’s a look at some of the most unique Starbucks stores around the world.

22 Starbucks stores to visit in 2022

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New backgrounds added on September 2, 2022

Looking for a new background for your next online meeting or a fresh look for your phone screen? Redecorate your virtual space with digital wallpaper featuring artwork from Starbucks new coffee packaging. You can also add a relaxing coffee vibe with scenes from Starbucks stores around the world – from a piazza in Milan to the terrace of Hacienda Alsacia in the lush hills of Costa Rica. Download one (or all!) of the virtual backgrounds here and add a little bit of Starbucks to your day. &nbsp;

The designs for <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2022/introducing-the-next-generation-of-starbucks-coffee-art/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks new coffee packaging</a> are works of art, as rich and vibrant as the coffees themselves.&nbsp;

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You’ll be transported to a golden garden terrace filled with hummingbirds with the artwork for Starbucks® Veranda Blend, made with a smooth blend of Blonde Roast Latin American coffee.&nbsp;

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Quetzel birds take flight in the design of Starbucks® Guatemala Antigua’s coffee bag, with layers of texture and warm coppery tones that showcase the mountain region’s flora and fauna.&nbsp;

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Feel like taking a trip back in time? The design for Pike Place Roast celebrates the heritage of the original store at 1912 Pike Place with a design inspired by old-fashioned luggage stickers on a rich, copper background featuring the store’s front door, a coffee stamp, and the iconic Public Market Center sign. But perhaps the best part is the homage to Rachel the Piggy Bank, the life-size bronze sculpture that has served as the market’s mascot since 1986. &nbsp;

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Coffee from Indonesia’s island of Sumatra has been on the Starbucks menu since 1971, and the Sumatran tiger has been its symbol ever since its first coffee stamp. It’s fitting that the new artwork for Starbucks® Sumatra packaged coffee features a pair of tigers amongst the deep-purple foliage in this lush design.&nbsp;

Download these festive backgrounds to show your holiday spirit throughout the season. Choose one below, or download them all!

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Can’t decide which holiday cup is your favorite this year? Neither can we, so here’s all four.

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Unwrap joy this season with a flurry of ribbons.

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These twinkling lights will brighten up any meeting.

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These Starbucks cups left snowy prints behind. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Choose your favorite Starbucks virtual background image below, or download the entire collection <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2020/08/Starbucks-Virtual-Backgrounds-.zip">here</a>, ready to save to your video conference platform.

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If <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2122275/iced?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fcold-drinks%2Fstarbucks-refreshers">Pink Drink</a> is your favorite beverage, then this background of the seaside <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1020694/grand-turks-cruise-terminal-cockburn-town-grand-turk-tc-tkca-1-zz-tc">Cockburn Town store</a> in the Caribbean island nation of Turks &amp; Caicos is for you.

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Bask in the golden light of sunset on the magical island of Mallorca (Majorca) off the coast of Spain.

Under the green umbrellas

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Enjoy a warm summer evening on the brick terrace outside the historic <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/12369/capitol-hill-dc-237-pennsylvania-ave-se-washington-dc-200031107-us">Capitol Hill</a> store in Washington, D.C., near where horse-drawn carriages once clip-clopped along Pennsylvania Avenue. &nbsp;

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An evening on the rooftop terrace of the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/5936/starbucks-caferaga-mah-muvakkithane-sok-no-9-istanbul-34-347">Kadikoy store</a> in Istanbul feels like a dream, perched high above the Bosphorus waterfront.

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Pull up a chair beneath the twinkling lights that dangle from an old-growth weeping fig tree outside the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1006973/downtown-disney-store-1570-s-disneyland-drive-anaheim-ca-928022321-us">Downtown Disney store</a> in Anaheim, Calif.

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Come on inside the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1006973/downtown-disney-store-1570-s-disneyland-drive-anaheim-ca-928022321-us">Downtown Disney store</a> in Anaheim, Calif., and relax by an inviting fire.

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Cool down on a summer’s day with this close-up of Starbucks cold brew, as the ice gently dances atop the glass.

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The early morning sun streams in through the windows at the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/welcome-to-jonesboro-ga-home-of-newest-starbucks-community-store/">Starbucks Community Store in Jonesboro, Ga.,</a> a quiet spot for that first cup of coffee in the day with collage art pieces by local artist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lecollagedart/">Marryam Moma</a>.

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It’s a well-established fact that a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/campus-store-designs/">Starbucks café is a great place for hitting the books</a>. Join your next online study group with this background from the Starbucks store at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., which features a one-of-a-kind collage of 34 flying books interspersed with sparkling clear glass globes.

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Update your virtual space with new backgrounds from Starbucks - Starbucks Stories

Update your virtual space with new backgrounds from Starbucks

Add a bit of coffeehouse ambiance to your next video meeting with a collection of virtual backgrounds you can download from Starbucks to match every mood.

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At home? You can still work from Starbucks with virtual backgrounds

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Personal reusable cups return to Starbucks stores in the U.S. on June 22.

Here’s the step-by-step guide to our simple, safe and contactless procedure.

Customer adoption of reusable cups is one part of Starbucks ongoing commitment to reduce single-use cup waste and goal to reduce waste by 50% by 2030.

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Beginning June 22, Starbucks is safely reintroducing personal reusable cups across company operated stores in the U.S.

As part of Starbucks ongoing commitment to prioritizing partner and customer safety, the company developed a completely contactless, new method – eliminating any shared touch points between the customer and Starbucks partners (baristas).

Bringing back personal reusable cups is a key part of Starbucks <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/starbucks-solidifies-pathway-to-a-planet-positive-future/">ongoing commitment</a> to reduce single-use cup waste and goal to reduce waste by 50% by 2030. At Starbucks, pre-COVID 80% of beverages are enjoyed on the go. To encourage customers to choose reusable and reduce single-use cup waste, Starbucks will continue offering customers a $.10 discount on their beverage of choice.

Starbucks held extensive trials and has adopted this new process, using a ceramic mug to transport the reusable cup through the bar, in EMEA and Asia Pacific to reintroduce reusable cups with confidence.

Only clean cups will be accepted; Starbucks partners will not be able to clean them for customers. In addition, the company is currently testing safe options for allowing personal reusable cups via the drive thru, but for now personal reusable cups will only be accepted in stores. Starbucks will also be reinstating For Here Ware for customers who choose to enjoy their food and beverages in-store where indoor dining is available.

Cleanliness of cup is checked by your barista, retain your lid

Reusable is placed in a ceramic mug

Beverage is made, contact free

At the hand-off, pick up your cup

Pop on the lid, and you’re good to go

Efforts to reduce single-use cup waste is not new to Starbucks. We have offered the option for customers to enjoy their beverage in For Here Ware or to BYOC (bring your own cup) for a discount since the 1980s. And yet, the majority of our beverages in the U.S. are served in single-use cups, with only a small amount being recycled or composted due to waste processing infrastructure limitations.

Starbucks continues to <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/seattle-starbucks-stores-go-even-greener-this-earth-month-with-new-borrow-a-cup-program/" target="_blank">explore scalable options</a> to reduce single-use cup waste and has acted through powerful partnerships – including our work with Closed Loop Partners and their NextGen Consortium and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment – to research and test solutions that will make our cups, lids and straws easier to recycle and compost. This complements our work with municipalities to improve recycling and composting infrastructure.

Starbucks continues to make progress against this goal around the world. Earlier this month, Starbucks EMEA announced they will offer a reusable cup share program in all <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/emea-cup-share-program-2025/">Europe, Middle East and Africa</a> stores by 2025. In July, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2021/starbucks-korea-announces-aspirations/">Starbucks South Korea</a> will launch Borrow a Cup program in stores and recently committed to eliminating single-use cups by 2025.

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Here’s the step-by-step guide to our simple, safe and contactless procedure.

Starbucks brings back personal reusable cups to Starbucks cafes in the U.S.

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Summer is upon us, and whether you’re planning an epic cross-country adventure or exploring a little closer to home – sometimes getting there is half of the fun. Here are a few of the most unique U.S. Starbucks stores for a memorable pit stop on your next road trip.

Let’s fuel up for our adventure at a café that was once an old-fashioned gas station, the Starbucks at <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1007178/highland-willoughby-859-n-highland-avenue-los-angeles-ca-900383416-us">Highland and Willoughby in Los Angeles</a>. The art deco structure, originally built in 1935, is straight from the golden age of Hollywood and has even been featured in several movies and commercials.

A 200-mile drive across the desert east of L.A. brings us to the bright lights of Las Vegas, where you’ll find a Starbucks store that is a work of art. <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/1014419/cosmopolitan-las-vegas-casino-fl-3708-las-vegas-blvd-south-las-vegas-nv-89109-us">The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Starbucks</a> features a colorful geometric public art installation by French artist and photographer Georges Rousse that changes perspective when moving through the space. Still thirsty? There are <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2014/summer-road-trip-starbucks-stores-shine-among-the-bright-lights-of-las-vega/#:~:text=The%20pulsing%20heart%20of%20the,Casino%20to%20the%20Stratosphere%20Tower.">more than 30 Starbucks stores </a>along the four miles of the Las Vegas Strip between the Mandalay Bay Resort &amp; Casino to the Stratosphere Tower.

If you’d prefer wide open spaces and mountain views, a summertime visit to Ketchum, Idaho is just for you – with hiking, mountain biking, and camping in the surrounding Sawtooth National Forest. The <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/68811/ketchum-town-center-491-sun-valley-rd-ketchum-id-83340-us">Ketchum Town Center</a> store and its relaxing ski resort vibe (inspired by nearby Sun Valley) make it the perfect spot to visit after a day outdoors.

Summer is the best time to visit Seattle, when the rain (mostly) stays away and the flowers are in bloom at the Pike Place Market. Thousands make the pilgrimage each year to the <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/11676/pike-place-1912-pike-place-seattle-wa-981011013-us">Pike Place store</a>, snapping selfies under the weathered brown logo while partners make their beverages on the vintage-style manual espresso machine and bag coffee on the worn wooden counters. You’ll also see something partners tossing empty cups back and forth with drink orders, an homage to the fish tossed my fishmongers in stalls across the cobblestone street. Just don’t try to order a blueberry muffin, the original lease stipulated that food could not be served, and that tradition is continued today.

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