Ballard to get a new Starbucks soon:
A Starbucks “Coming Soon” sign has been spotted in Ballard (a neighborhood of Seattle)! My unofficial sources say that this will be a drive-through only shipping container Starbucks (with a walk up window), and should open sometime in January 2014. Some may remember that just this past October, Starbucks opened a shipping container store in Chicago. The new Ballard location is at the corner of 15th NW and 53rd, and for more than fifty years was a used car lot. The sign that says “Carter Motors” still hangs, and says “since 1960.” I imagine that a new store on this site will be hugely popular in the morning. Fifteenth Street NW is a major thoroughfare, and in the mornings is used by many commuters as a way into downtown Seattle, avoiding I-5. I took these photos on Saturday the 7th – Looking forward to another shipping container store!
Made in the USA mugs (new Hawaii and Ohio state mugs):
A little more than one year ago, Starbucks partnered with American Mug and Stein, in East Liverpool, Ohio to sell “Indivisible” mugs – obviously made in Ohio. Long after the Indivisible mugs were no longer sold in stores, Starbucks continued partnering with American Mug and Stein for a special mug made exclusively for 1912 Pike Place. This mug here is made by American Mug and Stein, and sold at 1912 Pike Place:
In case you don’t recall the “Indivisible” mug, it looked like this:
Just recently, Starbucks launched two new made in the USA mugs, also made in Ohio. The new mugs are location icon mugs – one is an Ohio mug, and the other is a Hawaii mug. Interestingly, they appear to be made by a different company than the above Pike Place mugs (which is in continuous production). American Pioneer Manufacturing produces the Ohio mug and Hawaii icon mugs.
What do you think? I’d love to see more than just Hawaii and Ohio for this new series of mugs! (If you know of more in this series, please let me know).
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I LOVE those state mugs! I think it’s a great idea for collectors and travelers especially. I wish I had room in my cabinets for 50 new mugs!
Haha! That is the issue Kristen – My little kitchen has become overwhelmed with coffee mugs!
I like the idea of State mugs but am not sure I like the design of these. I also am still amazed how many new locations open in your area, Melody. How about in other areas?
@Purple1 – I like that they’re trying something different for state mugs – the Ohio one looks great!
And it’s funny, you’re right, there are a TON of Starbucks in Seattle, and we don’t seem to be saturated. It’s amazing. Actually, it’s one of the funny things about MSR is that it IS weighted in favor of those who live within a sea of Starbucks. It’s easy to go all the time if you always have several within a one mile radius of you. I think there may be about 30 Starbucks within a one mile radius of where I live. If you’re in the suburbs, and you periodically drive to a Starbucks with your whole family, and buy them food and beverage, you’re not as “loyal” under MSR. The people who do really well under MSR are Seattleties – we have tons of Starbucks, we have Teavana stores, and we have two Evolution Fresh stores.
@purple1 – we had a new Starbucks open in Kennewick, WA (we now have 14 Starbucks in the Tri-Cities area, pretty good for being “remote”), about 3 months ago, they took over an old Taco Time at what would seem like an ideal location. However, the traffic pattern makes it really only easily accessible for people going in one direction. To get in or out in any other direction requires doing U-turns across 4 lanes or jumping lane barriers. The Taco Time built a new building 100-yards East (added a Jimmy John’s and Fish & Chips too) that has far better access. The Starbucks location team once again got the short end of the deal.
@Melody – interesting post about the mugs. The big thing is, are they microwave and dishwasher safe. It will be interesting to see if there are any more sightings.
I have a mug that was made in Liverpool, OH that is like the Indivisible and Pike Place mugs. I ordered it in the online store right after the Indivisible mugs disappeared from the stores. It says EST 1971 STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY on the front in the color brown. There’s no logo and nothing on the back. It’s microwave and dishwasher safe and holds about 12 oz. I’ve always wondered why they stopped production of them and hope they continue now with all the states having made in the USA mugs.
@Becky E – I sometimes forget to look at StarbucksStore.com since they often have unique things –
http://www.starbucksstore.com/recycled-glass-mug-set-12-fl-oz-set-of-2/011030482,default,pd.html?&srule=Featured&start=0&sz=16&cgid=cups-and-mugs
^ Those are pretty – it says they’re made in Mexico.
@Melody I agree about the online store. They do sometimes have unique things and I had noticed those glass mugs. I shop online a lot since it’s just easier sometimes. I was curious as to how everyone was feeling about the way Starbucks is doing the holiday specials this year. I liked the daily offerings they had the past couple of years but having a special last a whole week has it’s benefits too.
@melody my store has the recycled glass tumblers that you posted. they are really pretty in person!!!
Hello! Thanks for your interesting article. As the head of the Museum of Ceramics in East Liverpool, Ohio – the nation’s Pottery Capital – where many of these American made mugs are being made, I cordially invite you all to come see us sometime if you’re ever in our area. We are ten minutes away from the Homer Laughlin China Company (pronounced LOCK-lin) too, makers of Fiesta Ware. Our big city is the pretty and rejuvenated Pittsburgh PA (an hour away). We’re two hours south of Cleveland. The Museum of Ceramics has a Facebook page where I just today featured the 1912 Pikes Place mug you mentioned, which lead me to your article. If ever I may be of service to you in assisting you to identify who made an obscure piece of pottery, when they made it, and how did they make it, just drop me a line at MuseumOfCeramics@gmail.com. Alas, I am not able to answer questions of value. Again thank you, and here’s looking forward to seeing many of you.
What I would like to be able to find again are the Homer Laughlin made Starbucks mugs that were used in the Black Angus Restaurants here in California. The restaurant was discontining use of the mugs. They were a perfect size and shape. The Manager was kind enough to give me four which I since have given as gifts. So hard to find nice made in usa mugs!