I dropped by the Clover – Reserve Starbucks in Fountain Valley (Orange County), California, on June 24, 2013. What a gorgeous store! I learned from the store manager, Christian, that the store went through a major remodel in February this year, and added the Clover at that time. Store design put a lot of work into this major remodel! Even the ceiling looks gorgeous – re-purposed antique tin was used, so I am told. Just a comment on ceilings, I am glad to see Starbucks moving away from exposed pipes in ceilings. I know that had its era, but I think a store looks more elegant with a thoughtful ceiling.
A barista named Anna made my beverage – a cup of Kati Kati from the Clover. She took great care when making it, and told me that the amount of beans you measure out has to be perfect. She reminded me that it’s 40 grams of coffee beans for a tall – not 39 or 41, but 40 grams. I loved her attentiveness to a perfect cup of coffee.
Overall, this truly was one of my favorite Starbucks visits on this trip. Every single partner seemed excited to be there. The store was huge, and lovely. It was obvious that the partners had a lot of regulars who had enthusiasm for the store too.
This Starbucks has comfy seating both inside and outside. (You do not see cloth exterior seating in Seattle – I still marvel at that!) I had wanted to get a good photo of all the leather seats, but they were consistently occupied by customers during my visit to this store, so I passed on a photo of them. The store was indeed busy, and so I didn’t get a photo of the community table either, but notice the iron steering wheel-type fixture that the community table is affixed to. In fact, take a look at the leg stands for the tables – all look like great use of re-purposed materials! Some of the table stands are sawed off lamp posts. The base of the large community table is part of a train crank and railroad materials.
I have no doubt you’ll have a fantastic experience at this store. I have to give a quick shout out to partners Blythe, Anna, Julia, Patrick, and Christian, who all helped make my visit to this store perfect.
Here’s the store’s contact information:
Starbucks (Store #5969 – This store first opened brand new September 22, 2003)
Newhope & South Park
Costco Plaza
17850 Newhope Street
Fountain Valley, California 92708
714 979 5374
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I have never seen outside seating like that at any SB! How wonderful. Just curious what happens when it rains to the couches? And you are right the inside of the store is just so welcoming. I would be curious too why SB decided to upgrade this store in such a way never seen a remodel like this. Is it the area? Number of customers, etc.? The table legs are neat.
Looks cool, I like their fridge set up. I want to visit the seatles best that u mentioned in ur other blog
What can I say…beautiful store, all the way round! love the wheel thing under the table! and, I kind of still like the exposed ceilings. I do realize they’re probably on their way out but I like the look.
@purple1: we have one Sbux here with beautiful outdoor seating (Streets of Woodfield…..Melody did a thread on it so it’s somewhere in here) and it’s kind of weather-proof, I always assume…..it’s outdoor furniture. As for who get what with these ‘remodels’, or lack of, I think we can beat that to death and nothing will change or make sense so, I just have come to accept it……there really appears to be no sense to who gets what. That’s my conclusion.
@Cecile – I have often heard that kind of refrigerated wall referred to as the “wall of chill”! LOL. I believe it’s supposed to be the new standard for new stores, and it’s slowly being introduced to renovations – as I understand it, that’s the first one in Orange County, though there are quite a few here in Seattle like that.
Denise R you are correct in trying to figure out SB’s rationale in why they choose certain stores for certain remodels is pointless, but it is a curious question that will never get answered. I like open and spacious stores so high ceilings are nice because it makes the store feel less crowded. There is one SB store on a major highway that has high ceilings and I like the feel of it.
Your article is very well done. I enjoyed the architectural details. Sans must have a design and acquisition team. I would enjoy a job finding all those old materials.
I have a district meeting coming up and since our area’s offices are in Fountain Valley I will make sure to stop by and visit this store. It looks amazing. I have seen the new outdoor furniture at a couple other stores around the OC. It’s great to live in a climate where such seating is viable. I’m with you, I love that ceiling. Your photos did this store justice.
Wow! Melody I’m so excited you got to experience what I do on a on a daily basis. And they call it work…sheeeesh! I love my store. I really have it GREAT. Great new store, one of the best DMs I’ve ever worked with, a pretty fantastic SM and I’m saying this as a Partner in O.C. since 2000 (Main & Town and Country was my 1st).
Our Partners are the best team to work with. In fact, I remember when that/our/my store opened. It was actually scheduled to open in September 2001 and, well, we all know why they had to pause the grand opening. Yes, ours is the first O.C. “Wall-Of-Chill” the second is in Corona Del Mar (also a beautiful remodel). That Patio furniture is waterproof so we asked the guys to bolt it down so we just have bring in the cushions which are spill resistant but not water PROOF. Our store was in a “special” situation though since designers’ offices are up the street in the HQ. They’d come in for Mark-Outs and drinks and we’d connect with them (as Baristas do) while we would make their drinks, they’d let us know, here and there, how things were going with the design. So, yes more and more of our stores will be just as unique and beautiful as our coffee and Partners as we, as a company, move onward. Oh our Clover machines name is Omar (Google: Coffee History – Omar exiled from Mocha and you’ll see why)