Starbucks has such a variety of store concepts. There is everything from the super tiny drive thru stores to larger, comfortable Evenings destination locations. I recently realized that there is a category of stores that are called the “Micro Drive Thru.” These are very small, pre-fab construction drive-thru locations. The hallmark of a micro drive thru is that they’re 450 square feet, or smaller.
Right now, there are three Starbucks locations that are considered “micro” drive thrus.
One is in Roseville, California; one is in Salt Lake City; and one is in Kent, Washington. The smallest of these three “micro drive thus” is the one in Salt Lake City, and is 386 square feet. The Kent, Washington and Roseville, California stores are strictly a drive thru, and do not offer a walk up window. My understand is that the Salt Lake City one does have a walk up window.
All the photos here are of the Kent, Washington store, opened new on May 25, 2014.
This little store is so small that it’s just as cute as a button! Thought you’d enjoy the photos too.
Just to be clear, there are a few pre-fab construction drive thrus that are larger, more spacious and not considered a “micro drive thru.” This store in Orange, California is an example of a larger, pre-fab construction Starbucks drive thru.
I can’t imagine what it would be like to work in such a small space! But it’s amazing what partners can make work. I was thinking, if Starbucks can pull off a Frappuccino truck, as it did this year in California, it can make a micro drive thru work.
Thank you to official Starbucks spokesperson Alisha Damodaran for her help with some of the facts in this article.
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I really like this store! The look and everything about it. I wish they would take this design on the road!
So 14th & Speer, Denver is a Micro+ or something like that? (Pictures are on my laptop, sorry.)
There is a new SB being built in a ‘burb of Kansas City. Rumor has it that it is a drive thru only location. Judging by the size of the construction site and the space between it and the businesses on either side, I’m tempted to say it will be a micro store.
Where did you get that there are just three? There’s one by my house, and has been for years, which is not on your list.
Hi Mich!
Starbucks has OTHER drive thrus that are just drive thru stores.
There are 3 of this particular category – Tiny pre-fab construction, often with repurposed wood, less than 450 square feet.
I cited my source. One thing about this website is that I have the ability to talk directly to the headquarters to get information.
I hope this helps answer your questions! 🙂
Melody
Definitely reminds me of the tiny coffee drive thrus in Washington. We don’t have many of them in California. Neat to see Starbucks taking the concept.
ROSEVILLE! That is only 45 mins away… I’m definitely going to check it out!!!
HOW ADORABLE! THANKS FOR SHARING.
Very cute! I like that design a lot.
There’s one in Woodburn, Oregon that just opened. It is made from two shipping containers that just showed up in a Safeway parking lot. The people at the Safeway SBUX are quite unhappy about it showing up.
Hi @602flyer – Those shipping container drive thrus are pretty fun, but they’re not the same thing as this.
This store in this article isn’t a shipping container Starbucks. Also, it’s considered “micro” due to its size – less than 450 square feet. I think those shipping container stores are a little larger than that, though I’d be interested to know the square footage.
How long ago did the Woodburn, OR open up? I know that Portland does have a shipping container store. http://www.starbucksmelody.com/2013/09/25/portlands-first-shipping-container-starbucks/
I should take a drive to Woodburn and visit this store. Thank you for the heads up.