Hello all!
Recently, my friend Rose and I were joking around that between the two of us, we could fill a museum full of Starbucks artifacts. It’s probably only a small exaggeration. While it is wholly unrealistic to think we’ll ever have a Starbucks museum, I thought it would be fun to think of all the things that we could fill it with. (Considering the huge monetary and legal barriers to the idea of Starbucks museum, it’s not happening.) So here are just a few things that could go on display in such a museum (everything mentioned here belongs to either myself or Rose):
- The 2005 Leadership Mugs: The “5 Ways of Being demitasse cups” from the 2005 Starbucks Leadership Conference.
- Coffee First poster – the 1997 Bella Vista Starbucks promo poster
- Mazagran Bottled Soda by Starbucks – dates from about 1994 and 1995 and was the early first try (and failed attempt) at a bottled beverage, predating the bottled Frappuccino.
- The 1999 collectible Starbucks holiday snowglobe – Scroll to the bottom of the article to see it.
- The Framed Coffee Stamps – Coffee stamps of yesteryear, beautifully custom-framed.
- A large number of Starbucks city mugs – I have more that have never written blog posts about.
- An original 1992 Starbucks annual shareholder report – This was the very first one since 1992 was the year that Starbucks went public.
- An original 1993 Starbucks annual shareholder report. This is so beautiful! It’s like a piece of art.
- A large number of Starbucks promo t-shirts.
- Joe Magazine – The failed magazine that Starbucks produced with Time Inc.
- The 1994 Starbucks-produced book (in partnership with Sunset books) called “Passion For Coffee.”
- Tiazzi blended beverage promotional posters.
- A collection of cup sleeves.
- 1990s era hand-made Italian pottery for the Starbucks holiday season.
- The 1990s Starbucks Limoge box.
- The Starbucks tumbler hand-dipped in White Gold.
- Starbucks wine glasses.
- Limited edition Via merchandise produced for Japan. (The Japan Via Bearista Bear is absolutely adorable).
- 1995 Coffee-stamp inspired mugs.
There are also Starbucks cards, Bearista Bears, many mugs and tumblers not mentioned above, and I have an original 25th Anniversary in-store sign too. Of course there is “flair” that goes on baristas’ aprons, and merchandise from the Coffee Gear store, and much more. I have a number of posters that I’ve never featured on this blog. The amount of merchandise that Starbucks has produced over the years is incredible. Of course, if Starbucks wants a museum ever, they have the resources to do that. They don’t need me for that! But what do you think? Should there be a Starbucks museum?
I will be out of town the last week of March, so I thought I would share some ideas of other sites you can go to get your online Starbucks fix. Produced by a regular reader of this blog, there is a fun Pinterest page on Starbucks. For all things Starbucks Japan, visit Buckedbythestar.com. For all things Starbucks UK, there is StarbucksDave.com. A former partner recently wrote me saying that he has started a Starbucks podcast. He’s based out of Canada, and the podcast is called Green Apron Radio.
As you may notice, the blog has been “refreshed” a bit in its look. The Amazon.com link in the right column has been moved up. If you want to help support this blog, I would ask that you click on that link. If you are buying something from Amazon.com – and it does not matter what it is you’re buying – and you use that link, in a very small way, you’ll be supporting the blog. Please consider purchasing your Amazon.com items through the link in the right hand column! Thank you! This blog adds up over time, and I probably spend a little more on it than I should.
On top of everything else I’ve mentioned, I want to give a shout out to a Starbucks partner in Wilton Manors, Florida, who is raising money for the Florida AIDS Walk. His name is Ryan, and if you want to donate to his team, click here. He is trying to raise $2,500 by May 20, 2012. If you can donate, please do.
And last but not least, please don’t forget to send in your chalkboard art submissions. You do not need to be a partner or an artist to submit something, and there is less than one week left to enter in. The prizes are great!
I’ll see you again in full swing in April.
Thanks for reading the blog! It’s rewarding to see so many people connecting over coffee, well, in a virtual space.
~Melody
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Love it! I have a ton of Starbucks stuff too. Including products sold by other stores. My new current favorite product is the reusable cup sleeves. They are cute and help the environment.
There really should be an official Starbucks museum 🙂 I’d go there!
interesting, especially because of the rate at which Sbux keeps changing…… I have a pretty fair amount of Sbux in my home as well. I find little bits here and there, especially in my holiday bins etc., that I’d totally never remembered.
I’ve long thought a Coffee Table book showcasing in-store posters would be a great “artifact” for Starbucks the company, its partners (current and past), and its fanatics. There are some truly artful posters that have appeared in SBUX stores since at least the late 80s.
Very nice look back at all the merchandise, etc. I remember alot of it and wish they would bring back some of it. As has been said in other posts, the artifacts and merchandise now just is not always appealing. I think a museum would be a great idea- expand on that wall you spoke of Melody at SSC.
Yes, a museum would be great!! I like the idea of a coffee table book too. One with poster art, pictures of great chalk art, and a section on merchandise from old to new would be something I’d buy without hesitation. I have several “the art of” type books and one with Starbucks art, etc would be treasured.
The piece that I’m the most attached to is the 1990’s coffee canister that I bought when I was 14. I was so happy to be in Vancouver and find that store. Even at that point I knew that it would be special to me.
I’m just waving hello to everyone. I too love the idea of a book of all Starbucks posters. A museum would be just too fun. purple, would you fly out here for it?
Melody I probably would make a visit to the SB museum along with the other great locations in Seattle that we do not have around here. Also, would enjoy finally meeting you too!
I would love a book of posters, logo history, memorabilia, etc. of Starbucks. I would probably end up getting four of them for gifts on my birthday or Christmas. LOL
I love that by shopping through Amazon I can help your blog since I cannot personally earn any rewards or cash back at least I know it is going to help your expenses.
Thanks for all the new followers on my Pinterest board. I am finding other Starbucks addicts with some great stuff. 😉
I love this. I do have some Starbucks stuffs and treasured each of it.
When I was a student, I used to collect starbucks artifacts, I was totally addicted to their coffee. I’ve found some well known prints on the picture you’ve posted.
Maybe your idea will spur the creation of a Starbucks museum…with a coffee shop attached, of course. Sharing your post on my Facebook page, I Love Coffee Mugs.
Is creating a museum to your addiction a healthy thing to do 😉 Seriously though, I’m a huge Starbucks drinker, and I do remember some of those paper rings. Just never thought to hang on to them. Kinda cool to see again.
You two have me beat by a long shot! But my personal starbucks collection is about to go up for display… In my office!!!