It’s time for another episode of “From the StarbucksMelody.com mailbag“. Thank you to the readers who have sent in their Starbucks photos!
A reader in North Carolina commented that she dropped into a Starbucks in Raleigh, and found a sign for sweet tea! She didn’t try it but snapped this photo, thinking I might like to see it. (Yes, indeedy!) From what I know, it appears to be a test involving many Starbucks locations in North Carolina. This test began on September 3, 2013, at the start of the fall launch promotional period, and I would assume that it is a fall test. If you order this tea, it is the Tazo black tea with cane sugar, and there is no classic syrup. In case you missed it, at the same time, there is a small Teavana hot tea test going on in a small number of Starbucks stores in Atlanta. Those stores have removed Tazo from their retail wall, and offer Teavana hot brewed tea options.
(Edit 0n 9/16 – Based upon comments below, it appears that the Starbucks sweet tea is offered in a variety of places: Florida, Texas, as well as North Carolina.)
Here’s the pic she sent in:
A reader in Folsom, California, wanted me to know that her area has a beautiful, new Starbucks – Reserve Clover store! I found a news article mentioning a the grand opening of the Palladio Mall Starbucks, in Folsom, California, and it looks like the grand opening would have been September 6. 2013. From the store locator, this new Clover – Reserve Starbucks is located at 350 Palladio Parkway. Here are the two lovely pics from the brand new Starbucks in Folsom:
Lastly, a reader in Sea Girt, New Jersey sent in two photos of a Reserve – Clover Starbucks. I thought the wall art was interesting – very personalized to that area. I definitely like that. Here are the two Sea Girt Starbucks photos:
There you have it! Thank you again for your submissions. Email me your photos, blog article ideas, or what have you to Melody at StarbucksMelody dot com.
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I think they were testing this in ATL a couple of months ago too. I know they came into some of our stores to get ice to test sweet tea, might have been the same thing but not sure…
Thank you readers for sharing the info and pics with Melody. I continue to be amazed at the regional differences and the test markets. We here have never been a test market for anything new that I can remember. Also, the new clover store looks very charming.
Thank you @NC Reader for sharing this with Melody so she could share it with all of us.
I am glad to see that the Sweet Tea is being kept true to style by using cane sugar as a sweetener. I can just see the MSI ideas now asking for sugar free sweet tea, yuck.
There is a small taste difference between cane and beet sugar. I don’t mean to sound like a sugar snob, but I can taste the difference (IMHO beet sugar has very very slight tannin and bitter notes).
When I was a kid, during summer vacation my Dad would hook up the horse and buggy ( 😉 ) and we would go another tour of Civil War Battlefields. We always enjoyed and looked forward to real Southern Fried Chicken and Sweet Tea. I had an Aunt (actually adopted our family during WWII, that’s a long story) that taught me real Southern Cooking, and that included Sweet Tea; best served in a Mason Jar.
L-O-V-E the tile backsplash in that store in California! I do wish that each Starbucks location was a bit more unique in its design/decoration. It’s so interesting to see new colors or textures on the walls and used throughout the space. No drab paint or pictures in my book!
It’s also in Texas as well.
We’ve got sweet tea here in FL too. Not my cup of tea, but my oldest loves it.
I have family that lives in Sea Girt and I’m there 5-6 times a year but have never been to this Starbucks. Now knowing there’s a clover in town, I can’t wait to go back. Thanks for the post Mel!
I love the sweet tea! we had this in FL actually a few years ago in the summer, it was delicious i still remember how to make it, and make it occasionally at my store for us.
Great article and thanks to the readers that sent the information and pictures. Love DadCooks story. Southern cooking is so good! I’m planning a visit this evening to a Clover-Reserve store that opened just over a week ago about 20 minutes from me! I had heard that a new store had opened in that area and went searching last Saturday. Was so surprised to see that it is a Clover store. I’ll take a camera this time. It’s big and a little dark but it has a fireplace that is built into the front wall that is shared by the indoor and outdoor seating areas.
Hey Becky E – I am looking forward to your email with pics! 🙂
A couple years ago (when I was a partner), we were testing Sweet Tea in Arkansas, Texas and I think 2 or three other states. Anyway, it was really good, but a bit too much sugar. Hopefully this rehash works better, because us southerners love our sweet tea.
I just went here today, nice little store. I love the drapes on the windows, very theatrical and dramatic.
It’s nice to have another Clover store nearby. We have 4 in Roseville, one up the road in El Dorado Hills, one at Gold River (you’ve been there i think), and 4 in Sacramento.
@Melody-Did you know this new store is across the street from the store we met at? Pretty normal for Seattle, but weird for Folsom.
I’ve also noticed that Iced Coffee Blend (in whole bean form) has quietly disappeared from stores and online…there goes another African Coffee. 🙁
Have no fear jetBlue711! For an old African favorite returns in less than two weeks!! If I were you, I might try to schedule a visit to my local Starbucks on Sept. 29th!! 🙂
@JetBlue711 – I remember meeting you in Folsom! I thought of you and Jenni when I was writing this article. Also, I’m just amazed that I have a number of readers all in Folsom, California! LOL I wondered how close it was the store where I met you!
@Claire – Love your little hints! 😉