I love reader-submitted content and ideas! I very recently received three different emails all containing images for me to share here at StarbucksMelody.com. Your comments on this site and emails are what keep me going! Thank you. My email address is Sbux206@StarbucksMelody.com. Please feel free to contact me with tips, ideas, or whatever your random thoughts are on Starbucks. And of course I invite you to leave your thoughts in the comments too.
By way of background, the two blog posts that inspired the three emails to me are these:
- Starbucks barista chalk art – This has been an enormously popular blog post here at this site. It features reader-submitted chalkboard art.
- Collecting Starbucks cards – This blog has a number of Starbucks cards featured in it, including a few with Howard’s signature on them.
One reader wrote to me that he enjoys going into a Starbucks and seeing creative barista chalk art. He said he happened to be in a Starbucks in the area of Fourth and Blanchard on the day of the Seattle Pride parade (June 27, 2010) and saw this chalk art. I love this! I am so glad he snapped a photo of it and sent it my way. My understanding is that this art was only up in the store for a very brief time:
Two other readers wanted to share a few images of Starbucks cards they’ve been collecting over the years. From the group of cards below, I hear that the Walt Whitman card ended up being far more popular than Starbucks ever anticipated and is considered to be one of the most “collectible” from the collection below. I have to admit that I really like that one. On the other hand (though not nearly as rare) there is something very comforting about the card with the image of the red comfy chair. I just want to go sit down in it!
I am thrilled to be able to show off these super unique cards: Enjoy!
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Interesting what is found where as to starbucks cards. The red comfy chair one is very common here-it’s one that is sold outside of cafes, i.e. anywhere you see gift cards for sale. I’ve also seen quite a few of the last one, I assumed it was from a previous winter?
and I really love the unique (RED) card!
this (red) one came out before the other one that Melody posted, at least I got it before they had the one previosly posted came out at my store…along with the mini-red card. (same as the other red one on previous post) I think this one is much prettier, more red red.
and the snow one was, I believe, last winter. I have to find my all time fave (well….maybe more than one fave) of the cup of coffee. long time ago and I have it somewhere….
great job Melody, as always!
It is sort of sad that not every SB store keeps all the same SB cards. Some of them are so beautiful and unique. Another question of their view of marketing?
Happy 4th!
Thank you Melody, I enjoyed to see various cards.
The ICHIRO card was sold in Japan too. But I bought it in Seattle. The card does not have an enormous copyright royalty. I mean, there is not it with the expensive like the goods which Mariners shop sells. That’s good! lol
@Mel
In a post with great timing, the Walt Whitman card was an Independence Day Card many years ago that was issued with a very limited supply. I believe only 40 cards were sent to each store, and none were available for re-order or resupply because it was designed for such a limited time frame. But customers really fell in love with that card, and it became one of the most requested cards in the store, and I’m sure it is very valuable online.
Happy Fourth of July!
Enjoyed the post, Melody! There are certainly some serious collectors out there. I like to run through eBay on occasion to see what’s out there – quite a variety! There are a lot from other countries that are very creative/artistic.
Awesome finds! Have you seen the Starbucks pride shirts they sell to partners? My friend Luc (@Akarisame) showed it to me. Go watch this video if you haven’t seen it>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gglFCoesHI
I totally need to take a picture of this chalkboard at the Starbucks by my apartment because its beautiful. its of a muffin… but its the most beautiful style!
HAPPY 4TH!!!!!!! I say with gratitude!
@camspi,
OH! That’s news to me. It is COOL! Very COOL!
I want that iPhone protection seal! 😀
Melody, I saw the other picture somewhere of the Rainbow cup and art board in the Needle Starbucks for Pride. http://www.towleroad.com/2010/06/the-space-needle-does-its-part-for-gay-pride.html @camspi I didn’t know they sold those shirts, I must have one now.
I’m glad they didn’t come up with some layered rainbow flavor latte though. LOL I must admit that I used the money off the card you gave me and put it away safe until it’s worth BANK because it’s got your signature. It’s cool to see other designs from around the globe.
I really like how creative Starbucks gets with the signboards. But I think this is the first non-coffee/food related signboard I’ve seen!
And I love all the photos of all the SB cards you’ve collected! I can’t believe Ichiro has his own card…do they have other MLB players cards, too?
I don’t know if you already have this, but I liked the anniversary blend card, too 🙂
I just wanna say: oh what a haven this site is. It’s just so ‘calm’ over here. (feel like I’ve been thru hell everytime I go on msi lately. Someone over there must REALLY get rid of someone, if there’s any hope of it surviving.) I just had to say it……
Denise R I so agree that MSI has changed and there has to be better control over the content. It is not the same! This site is great and I come here first.
@purple1 and Denise R – Thanks for saying that. I think what’s going on is that MSI has two simultaneous simple problems: (1) It’s a format that allows for anyone to say anything (notice that at my blog at least initially a comment goes through moderation. Once the email address is approved, the person can freely repeatedly comment) and (2) it’s just under-moderated. Not really Cecile’s fault: She can’t expect to work 90 hours a week. It just seems to need more moderation. On top of that MSI is definitely way busier than this QUIET blog, which has really been getting quieter the past two weeks. (Maybe people are outside in the sun). MSI needs more moderation, and would probably seem calmer if it too was a quiet little blog. More traffic means more personalities to flare up.
I do think everyone is out playing in the sun, including me 🙂
And once you reach the large threshold, you get trolls, unless you can moderate everything, and sometimes even then you end up with drama and fights and flames and things just get cranky. It could be fan sites about a tv show, a store, or a company run comments blog.
I have been out in wayyy too much sun here in AZ 🙂 But, I can say once a site becomes nothing but a mud-slinging fest I tend to comment less and less often and then reduce how often I even visit it. (i.e. Starbucks Gossip and now MSI). Granted, I’m probably not considered a huge participant in any blog…but I always faithfully read them and comment if I feel I have something somewhat meaningful to say. But those 2 sites have become nothing but negative lately. Thus, I go there to read the newest posts or idea in action. I come here to do that as well, but also to feel part of a warm, respectful, coffee community that I can engage in conversation with!
I used to collect Starbucks cards myself. When I worked at a law office, I not only had a Starbucks within walking distance but also two restaurants, a bakery and a Coldstone’s creamery. Those were the days…
-French Bean
@kaori @FrenchBean @purple1 @DeniseR —
@FrenchBean – Welcome to my blog! Hope you’ll subscribe and be back. By the way, I followed the link in your name to your blog, and you have an inviting and well-written blog. I like it! Did you have any of the Starbucks cards featured in this blog post or the one I linked to in this blog post? Did you have a fave Starbucks card?
@Kaori – That’s a fabulous link. What a beautiful Starbucks card. Somehow I don’t remember seeing the Anniversary Blend card in the stores. I remember that design, and there were tumblers too with that design. I must’ve just missed the card. I missed out!
@purple1 @DeniseR and @Hayley – Right now the latest MSI thread by SirMark is something else!
http://mystarbucksidea.force.com/ideaView?id=08750000000GxHSAA0
^ I am still trying to formulate a response, if any, to it. I think a limited amount of link posting, where it engages the topic, for non-commercial purposes, and is informative, should be allowed … Lots of people spread links to the things they want to see as ads, product ideas, their artwork, even their books … But I’m still thinking this one through!
Melody – I saw that MSI on your twitter just now. That is a shame…I really don’t know what people’s problems are sometimes.
Starbucks knows who you are quite well, I’m sure. I am sure they look at your MSI posts and profile and I’m sure if they had any issue with anything you do, you would have heard about it.
@Kaori that is an awesome SB card…am I correct that it was an international one (Japan I believe)? I thought I had remembered seeing it and wishing it was offered in the US! Love it! 🙂
I actually have the Paul one (as in the former Beatle), as well as the red armchair and the winter scene one. ^.^
-French Bean
Ah, and my favorite card…hard to choose. I quite like one that had pink flowers and a pleasant background. I also once ordered a personalized card online that listed my favorite Starbucks drink (a tall, non-fat hot chocolate, ironically enough :-P).
-French Bean
@Denise…agreed! I not only appreciate that, but how much I truly learn on here! I’ve known things supers who have been w/ starbucks for years didn’t know (knowledge!). You are one of my resources 🙂 Our bean challenge started today…although they purposely made it a bit harder for me…we’ll get points for knowledge, selling a french press OF coffee, selling a french press and coffee beans…anyway, fun stuff 🙂
Question- Has anyone figured out who Sir Mark is on MSI? I find his comments awful. I know his comments are not relevant to this wonderful blog, but if MSI wants to continue and go back to what its original intent was then it has to review their goals. Melody, keep on the great blog and it amazes me how you are able to keep it going while doing your full time job!!!
to Melody, purple1, Hayley, CABarista and anyone else I missed: I agree with all of you. S.Mark’s gotta go. It’s really not even decent or fair or sane of Sbux to leave him on. He’s crossed every possible line I can imagine. As I have said before…….he is way way ‘off’ and will one day totally blow. (maybe we’re in the eye of that hurricane right now?) I do appreaciate all Cecile does but surely, surely Sbux can find someone to manage that site. I saw this morn.one of those threads, only started on 7/3!!!! already has 100 comments! and not to mention the THREAD about THIS (elite) place;)
Melody – will you be doing an upper Queen Anne store review once the remodel is done?
never mind……..
@Hayley, yes they were sold in Japan! I thought it was a standard starbucks card that was sold in the US too, though! It’s hard to figure out the when, what, and where’s 🙂
@Kaori – Nope I am almost 100% positive it was not – you’re fortunate! 🙂 I know what you mean they are hard to keep track of! Go to Buckscards.com that is a very useful site for reference!
@ALN do you know when the store is supposed to be completed?
i work at starbucks…i loveeee this blog! 🙂 so glad to find it.
Hi Christina! I just wanted to welcome you to the blog! This particular blog post has a lot of chatter in it related to some things going on at a different website, so I’m sorry for the side private conversations happening here … I know that’s not very welcoming.
Hope you’ll look around. The archive tab, categories tab, and the whole bean menu board all have used information. There’s a ton of info here, though some of it takes a little digging to get to. Welcome!
@ALN and @AmazonV – Both Fourth and Seneca and Queen Anne Starbucks are in the midst of remodels. I think 4th and Seneca should be close to finished. ?? I was thinking of doing a follow up blog post on both of them, in one blog post. I’ll be honest, I’m totally surprised that the QA Starbucks is getting remodeled. I always thought it looked pretty nice. And it didn’t look old and dated to me. I don’t get it.
I got excited when I read this post. I really like the starbucks cards and it reminded me of when I found a small collection of them that I thought had gotten lost in moves from California to here. I have the red couch one and I remember thinking at the time “Oh everyone has this one” and I guess I kept it anyways. It’s nice to know there are different ones out there. I look forward to seeing more varieties in the future…I wonder how many different ones have been released in the states? I’d imagine that there are different ones around the world even 🙂
@Melody I believe they want to make the QA store closer to a mercantile starbucks, and add alcohol as well…I hope it’s finished by end of September. I can’t wait to hear about the remodel of Fourth and Seneca – so i can decide if i need to go there too 🙂
Or was I reading into this post too much?
http://blogs.starbucks.com/blogs/customer/archive/2010/06/25/coming-soon-olive-way-seattle-starbucks-store-remodel.aspx
@AmazonV – As far as I know, the only store planned to get beer and wine is the “Olive Way” Starbucks, but I’m not in the know on this! Actually, it would totally fit in the Queen Anne neighborhood – Perfect for beer and wine. Fourth & Seneca isn’t getting beer and wine. It’s just mysterious to me, because I’ve seen a couple of remodels where the stores looked pretty darn good before the remodel! I always thought QA looked great, so it makes me wonder what’s up with that – You could be right! I have an old blog post on the Pier 55 Starbucks somewhere on this site. One thing about that blog post is that it kind of demonstrates how so many Seattle Starbucks are going through these remodels which integrate “green” elements and warmer elements to the store design, even if not a Clover or a “showcase” store.
I guess we’ll know what (maybe not why) tweaks when they finish QA up 🙂 maybe with any luck some bariastas from that store might stop in and give us a clue?
The Upper Queen Anne store was looking a little tattered. I was really surprised at the condition on the furnishings and walls pre-remodel. It would have been an easy fix, but I’m not surprised to see Queen Anne getting the new look a la University Village. This store seems to be a sort of ‘trial’ store for Starbucks. That location got the new Maestros before anyone else I saw (they were actually pre-production) and they had Clover long before any other stores had it. With that in mind we may see some other innovative products / services that, depending on performance, may or may not make it to other Starbucks stores. Can’t wait to see it!
@Justin – I guess the Queen Anne store wasn’t looking tattered to me. It was nice before, and it’s nice after the remodel. They definitely were one of the very earliest Clover stores – They’ve had their Clover since December 2007!!
I hate to say this, but I was a little underwhelmed by the remodel. I’ve spent hours and hours staring at new Starbucks store designs, and after a while, you can get kind of used to looking at “green” stores. That neighborhood is a perfect neighborhood to try things out, but it seems like Starbucks is stuck on Cap Hill to try innovation (Olive Way, Roy Street, 15th Ave Coffee – All on Cap Hill). I still like the design of 15th Ave Coffee and Roy Street better than the Queen Anne store. Roy Street is just very unique (though looks like a lounge to me), and 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea radiates coffee enthusiasm. I am looking forward to visiting Olive Way on its re-opening day.
I am impressed when Starbucks can take a small non-showcase store, and make it shine:
http://www.starbucksmelody.com/2009/12/02/store-design-and-community-just-beautiful-pier-55-bellevue-square-starbucks/
I love collecting Starbucks cards! I need to come up with something good to keep them all in. They’re currently just in stacks or stuffed in my wallet(s)… Still a fan of the Paul McCartney one! I just picked up a new Product (RED) card at my local Starbucks the other day, and I absolutely love it! (But you already know this! You saw my blog post about it. 😀
@Pencil_to_paper – I had nearly forgotten about this blog entry. You dug up an oldy but a goody. Also this blog post is one of many where it shows how my readership really helps create my content. I LOVE the emails that turn into blog posts. Thank you. I can be reached (for anyone reading this) at Sbux206@starbucksmelody.com
I remember this blog post and enjoyed it then and again now. There is virtually no chalk art in my local SB the way there used to be. The decor has become pretty standard and boring. And no new interesting cards!
You’re very welcome! I love browsing through your archives. I always find something interesting and fun!
i’ve been saving paul mccartney cards. do you think they will become valuable? and how much? i’ll take details/opinions from everybody please. my boyfriend thinks i’m an idiot saving them.
thanks, beni
Hi Beni! If I were you, I would save the card! I think many of these cards do become valuable after time, and even if it is not worth much, it’s fun to collect the cards. You can find the Paul McCartney cards on ebay right now for buy it now prices around $6.99 – That’s not much, but if you have cards to sell, I’d hang on to them.
Thank you for commenting! I like the Paul McCartney card and don’t have one! Hope you will click to “like” my blog’s Facebook page too:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/StarbucksMelody/180068562003180
Thanks!