Do you remember when you were little and all you wanted was a trip to the American Girl Doll Store? (Or the LEGO Store, or whatever it was that you adored as a child.) Well, prepare to call up your parents and start begging for a trip just like you did at age nine, because Starbucks is opening up a 30,000 sq-ft. store in Shanghai.
According to People, this store is called the Reserve Roastery and will open December 6th. People states, “Attractions will include three coffee bars and a 3-D printed tea bar. At the coffee bars, hundreds of baristas will handcraft some of the rarest, small-lot coffees in the world using one of six brewing methods.”
True to Starbucks’ innovative nature, Reserve Roastery will also boast high-tech aspects. You will be able to point your phone at various features around the store to learn more about them, and you can create a virtual journey through a Starbucks mobile app.
The world’s biggest Starbucks store has been dubbed as the “first fully immersive coffee wonderland in China” https://t.co/baQZgLOYCT (via @CNNTravel) pic.twitter.com/0IzEioeg0t
— CNN International (@cnni) December 6, 2017
Why is Shanghai the chosen location? According to Howard Schultz, the executive chairman of Starbucks Coffee Company, “The affinity we have built with our partners (employees) and customers over the past 18 years in China is special and we knew we must bring the Reserve Roastery, our boldest, most premium store ever, to Shanghai, China’s bustling metropolitan hub and one of the world’s most dynamic retail destinations, as well as a gateway to customers from across Asia and the world. We’ve created a space that both recognizes and celebrates our 46-year history of coffee leadership and retail innovation with China’s rich, diverse culture.”
It’s been about a decade since I begged my parents for a trip to the American Girl Doll store for Christmas. Do you think those puppy-dog eyes still work? Mom, Dad, I promise I’ll never ask for anything again if I can go drink unlimited soy lattes in Shanghai!