Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz kicked off the company’s 40th Anniversary festivities by ringing the NASDAQ opening bell this morning from Seattle’s Pike Place Market. This was staged immediately outside the first Starbucks store at 1912 Pike Place, on this rainy morning. I got up early and headed down to the market to check out the events, arriving at about 5:45 am. It was still dark out, rainy, cold, and surprisingly, numerous Starbucks partners were already there. I hung out with partners, chatting with them, and following them around in almost a lemming-like daze. We drank Tribute Blend coffee, and tried to stay dry.
The only official notice of this event that I saw was this blurb from Globalnewswire.com. Finally it was time for the ringing of the bell, which happened at 6:30 a.m. P.S.T. Just before the bell was rung, a NASDAQ executive spoke, followed by a few remarks by Howard Schultz. He spoke about April being a month with a community service emphasis, and he radiated how proud he was of the company, and its partners.
I tried to take a few pictures of the morning’s events but I ended up with a whole slew of unusually bad pictures: too blurry, catching people at the wrong moment, and so on. I’m sorry there are not more attached to this blog post. Also the First and Pike Starbucks store (that is the store right at the entrance of the Market, which opened March 13, 2009) looked gorgeous with new merchandise and coffee mugs, and so I took a few pictures of that beautiful store to show it off. The mix of photos below include (1) the events at 1912 Pike Place Starbucks for the ringing of the NASDAQ opening bell, (2) the Market, and (3) a few pictures of the 1st and Pike Starbucks. I apologize that they’re in no particular order below, but I think my readers can tell which photos are which.
This morning it was great to see so many friendly faces again. Thank you to so many people. There were a number of partners who were very warm and welcoming to me this early morning, and I owe them all a big thank you. And thanks for the many cups of great coffee: I really needed it!
All of the photos below were taken today, March 8, 2011, between about 5:40 am and 7:00 am.
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Great pics Melody even with the rain. Went to another SB early and they said they were not putting out the new treats until 11 am. Had a doc appt so arrived at my local SB later than usual but still morning and there were the new treats. Got 6 for $7.50. Have not tried them yet but they look yummy.Store looked good. Husband enjoyed Tribute blend.
I didn’t realize that the new treats were going to be available this morning. I didn’t see them. They could have been there just wasn’t really looking. I want a peanut butter cupcake after work today. Tribute blend is also very delicious 🙂
Love the pictures. Its such an exciting time!! 🙂 I’m giddy all day long… Can’t wait to see all the new things!
When I clicked on the link for this from twitter, I was expecting to see a Reuters article or a press release. But no, as always @sbuxmel was on the scene while many of us were sleeping. Very good write up as always!
Thanks for being there and taking pictures! This is all such a great cornerstone for Starbucks.
I’m humbled when I hear that Howard’s greatest moment in Starbucks was when they announced that Starbucks would be providing healthcare to all.
Starbucks is a great company doing great things to make the world great. I’m proud to be a partner.
WOOOOOOOOW!!
Great Mel that you went there so early and great to see the event from Starbucks’ hometown….:D
I think Starbucks fans all around the world celebrated the big change today…saw pics from many countries in Europe and Asia. Everyhwere it was a huge festival at every store.
I went to my local stores today and all partners were so excited about the new stuff and everything was just perfect.
In Germany I was a little surprised…all partners had aprons with the new logo, but not yet T-Shirts. Cups also had the new logo, but not yet City Mugs.
The most surprising thing here was, that we got new Spring merch also today in stores…but ALL things like Tumblers etc still with the old logo. I don’t understand that.
I am sooooooo jealous of all the Mugs and Tumblers with the new logo I can spot in your pics…awwwwwww…would love to have these here too. 🙁
But anyway…the new Cocoa Cappuccino tastes veeeery good, I got a package of the new Tribute Blend and everything was nice here as well.
Great event – so happy you got to experience it.
Has the Heritage Store (1st and Pike) always had the original logo outside?
My son is a barista at the Heritage store so I have been searching the local news sites for pictures and info on this event. Surprisingly paltry coverage I felt. There was more info on the cup design then on the bell ringing ceremony. And then I found your site! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your coverage and especially for the pictures. It was quite a treat to see a picture of my son since I couldn’t be there in person to celebrate.
way cool for you Melody!!! am going back to my Sbux now for a few more things (gifts) and they saved a couple ‘petites’ for me, since they (mistakenly) only got 4 of each!
I was at another Sbux earlier and they had tons of all the petites. (plus Kona..but that’s another day…..) As I wrote elsewhere, they were not putting them (the petites) out, limited as they were in my store, until 11A, same as Purple 1 wrote.
really really love the canister! (and the lb of Tribute that came with 😉
@denise r – I bought the canister/pound combo. I am a bit disappointed that the free tall beverage didn’t accompany the purchase though.
@CD: I never thought about the free tall drink w/ the lb but you’re right. I was so busy seeing what I wanted to buy…..
I’m guessing they would’ve said it wasn’t an option since it was a whole deal with the canister etc. just my guess….
I’m looking forward to trying the new Petites! And the Mocha Cappuccino sounds yummy too. Thursday through Saturday are “Tribute Days” and they give you a free Petite Treat when you buy a drink from 2-5pm. I’ll be at my favorite Sbux on First between Bell & Battery sometime very soon!
Good job Melody! Loved the pics!
Back to work!
Molly
Wow melody! That’s early! lol I don’t consider that to be the morning 😉
I had a LOT of people tell me that they saw Howards comments, especially when I was sampling. I choose to sample coffee as much as possible and a lot more people than usual were interested in it and everything that I had to tell them about it because they had heard him on the news. It made the day fun and I plan on sampling tribute a LOT this week.
@partners does any one else find the new aprons HUGE. lol I’m not short and they are super long on me! I were a skirt to work a lot and it completely covers it!
I love that the missions statement is in the hem though 🙂
@denise the petites are not to go out until 11 am . It has nothing to do with them being a limited amount. That’s when they are scheduled to go out. They are an afternoon pastry.
CA Barista- that makes so much sense because initially I thought if they are going to add these new pastries, would they be eliminating some of what they already sell but by displaying them in the afternoon, that solves that problem
*I WEAR a skirt.
@denise r – I kinda figure that too on the canister. But because I was actually upsold at the register, it didn’t sit well with me. I bought a pound and a drink and was upsold to the pound/canister combo *after* I placed my order. I won’t even use the canister, I just bought it to help the store (I will give it to somebody). So my purchase went from originally ~$14 to an anticipated ~$20 to an actual $24.
P.S. Went back later with my son and the minis are quite good.
I LOVE the picture with the Umbrellas! And the interior pictures made me drool!
Sorry I’ve been absent from this thread. @meghan – That was a really endearing comment. I don’t know who your son is, but lots of people there were radiating with pride for the event. I’m sure he was too. @CaBarista – I really like the umbrella picture too, not even sure why. @CD – I would assume that if you asked for a free drink, you’d get one, or at least that’s what I think would happen in downtown Seattle. I understand though that’s an uncomfortable conversation, and very non-legendary conversation to have to ask, “oh hey can I have a free tall xyz on the house because it’s a promised benefit with the card, but the register doesn’t recognize that I am buying whole bean alone because it’s in a canister…”
I do not think the new treats have a strict rule re when to put them out. My local SB continues to put them out early in the morning. Today, I learned they sold out very quickly by late afternoon. Wonder with this promotion of a free new treat with a drink will hold up if they quickly sell out? Many people will be upset. I enjoyed the mini cupcakes and the tiramasu. Yummy!
Thank you for getting the pictures, in the rain and early hours, for those of us who could not be there 🙂
@CABarista: they actually sold two to me at my regular store (where they only got 4 of each) early in the morning…and they did explain that normally they wouldn’t be putting them out til ~11, due to the breakfast sandwiches.
I did see them in another store yesterday, well displayed, by mid-morning. (about 10) so, I don’t know who will be doing what….
I also was told they’d be getting a ‘ton’ of them in for the promo days. we”ll see.
How fun! I enjoyed all of the pictures! I always live vicariously through you and all of your awesome Starbucks visits and events. 😀
Thanks for sharing the photos!
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And yet more thanks for the wonderful photos! Love the rain on the cobblestones. Glad you were there to share this with us!
@purple actually, they do have a strict time. They are seemingly picker about this than about other pm pasteries. Some may not stick w/ it, but there is a standard (heh, kind of like most standards, many break them, but they are still there.)
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