The new Junction Starbucks was designed with the community in mind with thoughtful touches that echo the area's past, and features unique to this location.
With more than 22,000 locations around the world Starbucks is seemingly everywhere. But until Aug. 14, the one place our hometown coffee giant had no presence was in the heart of West Seattle in the Junction.
The official opening of Store Number 248837 on Friday came without fanfare but not without a lot of attention. Locals had been popping in during last week asking about the opening and expressing excitement said the management team at the location. Starbucks now has five company operated and three licensed stores in West Seattle.
The 1500 square foot space on the southeast corner of the intersection has 22 full and part time employees will be open Monday through Friday from 5am to 10pm and 5:30 am Saturday and Sunday.
Brian van Stipdonk, Senior Designer for Starbucks said, "In talking to our customers and our partners, we really wanted a space where people could just be, and stay and be with friends... Plus if you notice, the store looks unique compared to our other local Starbucks. There are some really subtle hints back to the old transit hub this used to be for example we put in that settee in the round, the pendant lights with the metal detailing, even the tile on the back wall there. Something that's unique to this store are the paintings by Ryan Bubnis"
Bubnis painted two works, that tell the story of the coffee bean and echo the West Seattle tradition of murals in the area. "We really wanted to honor the local area," van Stipdonk said.
He explained, "You'd be surprised how many Starbucks partners live in West Seattle. So for us it's almost like a community store, serving our customers and our partners too."
Aa a giant corporation Starbucks might not be expected to have much direct community involvement but Store Manager Caley Litfin (who is a Junction resident) said they have been exploring local opportunities, even before this store opened, to support local organizations, having recently attended the Taste of West Seattle event that benefits West Seattle Helpline. They also get involved around the world with Starbucks Global Month of Service every April.
The management team there said they've already been approached by area businesses to do some local partnerships and possibly participate in the West Seattle Artwalk.
The Grand Opening will be coming up soon, and is being planned.
Because of the central location there's a potential for this location at some point in the future to offer beer and wine but nothing is firm in that area as yet.
