Comments on: Featured Starbucks: Columbia Center, Store #101

By: Carolyn Hamilton-Proctor

Carolyn Hamilton-Proctor — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:40:11 +0000

On my way there right now for a first meeting, and also first visit to this Starbucks location. I always love little background stories like this. Only in downtown Seattle would you find a fabulous place like Columbia Center just 2 blocks from the Downtown Emergency Service Center’s Emergency homeless shelter…food–excuse me, coffee?– for thought.

By: Melody

Melody — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:48:48 +0000

Hi Lynse! Good luck again on your relocation to Washington! That’s a big move, moving across country nearly!

Great question: Here are the 5 stores I recommend:

(1) 1912 Pike Place Starbucks (Store #301) – I recommend it because it’s the first store, where it all began…

(2) 1st & Pike Starbucks, a few blocks away from 1912 Pike Place. This is NOT the first store, but many people get confused and think it is.

First and Pike is a large spacious beautiful store design with a very friendly group of store partners! It is also a “Clover” store (you can find several old blog entries on the Clover at this site).

There is a blog entry here about First and Pike:
http://blogs.starbucks.com/blogs/customer/archive/2009/03/23/introducing-the-new-heritage-store-design.aspx

(3) 328 15th Avenue East – The “Mercantile” Store (not branded as a Starbucks). You can go back and read my blog on a cupping at 15th or that ‘there are 2 mercantile Starbucks’.

This store does not have a green Siren, does not have a blender, does not have Venti sizes, and it is a true coffeehouse experience. You really should get to a cupping!

You cannot *really* learn about coffee without doing a cupping. This store offers a cupping every day at 10 am.

(4) Columbia Center – 40th Floor. This blog entry on the featured Starbucks focuses on the old first floor Starbucks, but the Columbia Center has TWO Starbucks in it. There is a 2nd Starbucks on the 40th floor.

It’s open to the public. The store is a Monday through Friday, and I think it closes at like 5 pm.

The beautiful thing is the sweeping views from this Starbucks since it is on the 40th floor in a downtown Seattle building.

(5) Roy Street Coffee and Tea – This is the other “mercantile” Starbucks, like 328 – 15th Avenue East. Again, like the other one, there is no flavor locks bags, coffee is scooped fresh, and usually has been roasted within the past 2 weeks at the Kent Roasting Plant. You can get a handcrafted beverage on a machine with espresso handtamped for you or a handcrafted coffee through PourOver, Clover, or French Press.

——

If you don’t have much time, the first 3 listed are must do Starbucks so that you experience the real variety that Seattle uniquely has to offer.

By: Lynse Leanne

Lynse Leanne — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:55:05 +0000

I think when I get to Vancouver we are going to have to drive 3 hours to Seattle and check out the Starbucks up there. In your opinion what are the 5 stores I MUST go to?

By: Brendan206

Brendan206 — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 07:05:14 +0000

I like that store a lot! I went there a few times when I was serving jury duty in the summer of 2009. I like the way it looks from 4th Ave (or the corner, 4th & Cherry) with that nice brick facade. I think it’s pretty neat that it was all stand-up service originally.

There is another Starbucks on the 40th floor of Columbia Center (as I’m sure you know). Do you happen to know if that one is open to the public, or just for the workers in the tower? I bet that store has the best views of any Starbucks!

By: Sara

Sara — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 06:16:16 +0000

Interesting read, thanks. That store looks nice and uncluttered. I remember when I went into my first Starbucks, I think in the mid-90′s, in Southern California, I loved the strong smell of the coffee beans, I miss that aroma! My first and favorite drink for quite a while was the Mocha Valencia, loved the chocolate and orange flavors. I still don’t know why they discontinued it, I thought it was so good.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:12:17 +0000

Ahh, I love the interiors of Starbucks – so cozy! I love the idea of an authentic Italian-style coffee bar even more though! Shame it changed as it did. I love the subtle unique touches that each store seems to add… whether they fully acknowledge it or not.

I really want to get my hand on this book, “Pour Your Heart Into It” – sounds absolutely fascinating!

By: elly

elly — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:54:27 +0000

so, this is one of what i consider to be ‘my’ starbucks. i know, i can’t really say that, as i do not own it, but let me explain.

‘my’ starbucks, as i am sure other customers will agree, are the starbucks stores we get to know and love because we are (or were at some point) regulars there. mine consist of tcc (this one), the one at union station, the one at broadway and republican, and 15th.

i love learning about the history of my starbucks stores (and ones that are not mine too!), because this makes that personal story even more complete and satisfying!

so, again, thank you for filling in the gaps in my store’s history for me, and making all that much more interesting to go there

By: Scooter McGoo

Scooter McGoo — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:32:35 +0000

BTW I just bought 3 pounds of Xmas blend yesterday If U need some for a “stash” let me know I can accommodate.

By: Scooter McGoo

Scooter McGoo — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:29:41 +0000

As always I enjoyed Ur “Blast from the Past” history lesson about the company. I never read Howard’s book and won’t be anytime soon. It must be strange having seen the “progression” of the brand over the coarse of time since the 80′s and early 90′s (I went to my first SBUX @ Pike Place in 1993).That’s what seems to be happening at 15th Ave & Roy Street, a return to what “worked” in the beginning B4 the “Next Big Thing” concept took over. Coffee was the core and quality was key, 20+ yrs have not been so kind to the “I’ll never close a store” mentality. I bet Ur BF loves the shwag all around the house means at least he knows what not to get U as gifts. LOL U keep on writing and we’ll keep on reading. BTW Congrats on the CNN interview piece, Ur not just for locals anymore, U have gone international. Cheers

By: smoovebcoffee

smoovebcoffee — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:37:30 +0000

Great post. In addition to the Clover, I really enjoy this store because it has the full array of merch… which usually means there’s a couple nuggets from last-season that are on deep discount too.

This store embodies the internal conflict that a lot of customers have with their favorite beverages. On the one hand, customers want to feel like their beverage was made carefully, craftfully, with only them in mind (see the Clover bar)– on the other hand, they might be in the mood to have their beverage in a split second (witness the crowd around the W-bar looking from their watches, to the bar, and then back to their watches).

This store and the hard working partners there must constantly walk a very delicate balance to please both types of customers depending on their mood (or time of day).