One of my regular readers (a Starbucks partner in Poland) emailed me recently to say that Starbucks has opened its third “Reserve” location in Europe. It is in Wroclaw, Poland. The first two locations are in Amsterdam and Moscow. (I don’t know which came first). I had also thought that London had at least one Reserve location, but perhaps Wroclaw is the third on continental Europe.
The partner in Poland attached a series of photos of the new Reserve Starbucks, and as I understand it, it opened in June. I have to admit, I tossed and turned a bit whether I should produce a blog article out of this. I was a little concerned with the legalities of using the photos (obviously I did not take them), and I wasn’t sure I had much to say about it.
The Reserve Starbucks in Wroclaw is so striking that I can’t resist showing them off here. My understand is that these photos were part of local PR promotion and open to blog distribution, and the copyright holder is Starbucks EMEA. I suppose if they want me to take them down, they can contact me!
I saw a few things in the photos that I want to call attention to. First off, I love the light fixtures. I definitely have a preference for certain Starbucks light fixtures. There is no doubt that the light fixtures featured in this Starbucks are intended to be reminiscent of those found in 1912 Pike Place. I talked a bit about the 1912 Pike Place light fixtures in this previous blog post.
I know it might be a little thing to always be noticing the lights at Starbucks, but somehow it’s a detail that I always pay attention to.
Next, I noticed that in the photos you can see the “slow coffee” station, offering the Reserve coffee by the Pour Over brew method. As many readers know, I am a fan of the Pour Over – when it is done right! I think it will be interesting to see if the few Starbucks Reserve stores overseas eventually add a Clover brewer.
And of course, one obvious talking point about this store is the fireplace. It appears to be a real fireplace that really burns wood logs. That is a cozy touch! And last but not least, I noticed that in the photos you can sort of see a very oddly designed wire mesh chair. I am not even sure if I am seeing that right. It doesn’t look comfortable.
If you want to visit, here’s the store’s location: ul. Olawska 1/1 Wroclaw, PL-DS 50-123 Poland. I hope you enjoy these photos. It’s always interesting to see what Starbucks is doing in other countries. The international category on this blog is here.
Enjoy!
(There are more photos of this Starbucks store in this blog post here – a great article to skim through the photographs, though be warned it’s in Polish and I have no idea what it actually says!)
Edit: I had erroneously said that this store is in Warsaw, but it’s actually in Wroclaw. The article is fixed, but not that the images still have the city Warsaw mentioned.)
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What a nice looking store. The details are quite nice. The chairs look like Bertoia chairs and are a nice touch.
The real wood fireplace isn’t something you see here in the states (but some of my favorite Starbucks are the ones with fireplaces).
@CD – Yeah, so few Starbucks have fireplaces anymore. Seems like many of them get removed during major remodels.
On a different topic, have you heard about a “shipping container” Starbucks coming to Chicago? I mean one like this …http://www.starbucksmelody.com/2011/12/19/the-shipping-container-starbucks/
I did hear about that. It is supposed to be a drive through only store. Very exciting!
I visited the Starbucks in Amsterdam in May. Asked a partner if I could take photos and she said it’s no problem
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamjackson/sets/72157631611441463/
The stores look very similar and the chocolate and clover pairing they were doing was fun! I think my favorite thing is that they bake the pastries there. The blueberry scone was excellent!
Melody, this is a really great post. So fun to see what Starbucks is like in other countries. I would love to see a fireplace in a Starbucks around here. Any store that is located in a snowy winter area should have a fireplace. It just makes a huge difference in the overall atmosphere.
Very interesting and fun to see Sbux in other countries…..Poland! very cool. I LOVE the wood fireplace, but of course, we are so EPA and other-wise controlled in the U.S., I can’t imagine seeing a wood-burning one anymore..altho we do have quite a few gas ones around here.
I agree about the ‘mesh’-looking chairs, don’t look so comfortable. There’s one pic where there’s a mesh ? something? in the middle that looks kind of like a fire pit? (like we have here on patios….not Sbux, but homes)
It’s so amazing that the absolute least attractive (I don;t really see any?) thing in this store in POLAND is far more attractive, all the way ’round, than our (failed) non-‘re-model’ at my one time regular place. amazing.
Melody love seeing the international stores! Such an open store and looks quite relaxing. I like the map on the wall and of course the fireplace. Too bad stores here have taken them away. I wonder how often they have to replace the firewood. Great pics!
This store sure is classy, even in a faraway country. It really suits Starbucks and the Reserve coffees! LOL. Just wondering if there is anyone from Poland in Twitter that can exchange information about Starbucks there (in English of course, I know nothing about Polish!), that sure’d be great… =)
What a cook looking store — I love the fireplace with the stacks of logs.
As Cd says, the mesh chair is a classic Bertoia chair — they’re actually very comfortable. The mesh hugs your body nicely.
to start I wonder if the difference between Starbucks Reserve is normal and not sell wine and beer, or their characteristic to be called Book?.
second you can get information and pictures of Starbucks Reserve Mosco??
Thank you.
Sando – There are very few beer/wine Starbucks right now. The Reserve stores offer the Reserve coffees, and the beer/wine designation isn’t the same thing. If you’re looking for a beer/wine store, the easiest thing to do is look at this list:
http://www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/starbucks-stores/starbucks-evenings/locations
^ Hope that helps!
Even though this Starbucks has a modern touch, the chosen colors, materials, layout, and fireplace makes it appear so cozy. I’ve got to admit that although I enjoy Starbucks’ coffee, the interior log cabin type design of Caribou Coffee appeals to me (I’m a sucker for fireplaces and comfort).
Wait a minute, is that a child’s sized chair next to the fireplace in picture #13? Hmm, may it’s just the angle in which the photo was taken that makes it look so tiny. Oh and yeah, those mesh chairs scream uncomfortable. They’re missing back pillows. 😀
Great post! It would be cool if more of your international readers shared pictures of their Starbucks.
Hello from Singapore. Singapore’s first Reserve outlet is under construction on Sentosa Island here in Singapore. I’ll share photos with everyone shortly after the launch.