Starbucks Passion

Starbucks in the Community – a unique store

Starbucks has always been committed to community, whether that’s in communities in coffee growing regions across the world or in communities where their stores are located. Simply put, Starbucks is a responsible neighbour in every community it comes in contact with.

I live in Oakville, Ontario. It’s a peaceful, scenic town located about 30 minutes from downtown Toronto. There are 9 Starbucks stores in Oakville. Some stores are located on major roads and serve commuters. Others are in relatively secluded areas that attract neighbours in the area. Yet, each one is unique and attracts a different type of customer.

For this post, I want to highlight Oakville’s most unique and beautiful store. It’s located in downtown Oakville, on Lakeshore Rd., which runs through the heart of downtown Oakville. This area of Oakville, (South-East Oakville) is the oldest, most exclusive and most picturesque area of the town. Houses tend to cost well over a million dollars because of its proximity to the lake and downtown district.

The Lakeshore Starbucks is the oldest Starbucks in Oakville. It has a lot of character and is the most welcoming Starbucks I’ve ever visited. It’s definitely a part of Oakville’s community. Here’s why:

Community Board: Just like every Starbucks, Lakeshore Starbucks has a large community board right in front of the condiment bar. This board was filled with several events and invitations:

-          3 Charity Golf Tournament invitations

-          3 Charity Run Events

-          1 Thank You letter from a local school

-          Walk for the Cure information

-          Local upcoming events

I was truly impressed with this store’s community involvement.

Store Design: The outside of the store is white and has green awnings and window frames. It looks like a secluded cabin in the Alps, even though it’s in the heart of the downtown district. There are two huge 5 ft. by 6 ft. windows located at the front of the store. Both windows have big, plush, comfy chairs on the window sill, which overlook beautiful downtown Oakville. There are 7 soft, comfy chairs in the store. And even though this store is relatively small, it seats over 25 customers. Sure, the tables and seats are all nestled closely together, but that’s the point. It’s a small, cozy and intimate space.

The ceilings are low and give a ‘cottagey’ feel to the space. The walls are covered in large, mural paintings that engage customers with their designs. The paintings add to the cottage-feel of the store because they are all painted with warm reds, soft yellows and cozy oranges. It feels like you’re by a campfire, wherever you sit. The terracotta floors are warm and welcoming. Also, each table is illuminated by low-hanging lights, which allows for an intimate and warm experience.

The speakers whisper soft, barely audible music. But that’s the point. Because this store is always packed full of customers, it’s conversation and customer interaction that provide the ambience. The fully windowed door even creaks when opened or closed – again, very cozy and warm, just like an old fire-warmed cabin.

But what really makes this store part of the community is the friendly staff. They know their customers and always have a story. The partners remember orders and are always patient when faced with endless line-ups. They are some of the best partners I’ve ever come in contact with.

This isn’t your typical grab-and-go Starbucks, it’s a destination. People come from all over to sit, read, study and interact in this store. It’s a meeting place, a destination and yes, a coffee shop. It epitomizes everything Howard Schultz was talking about when he first started Starbucks. He wanted each store to be part of its community, just like a cafe in Italy. And this store embodies that cafe feel. People stay for hours and wait for a seat by the windows. It’s everything a Starbucks should be – warm, friendly, cozy, comfy and welcoming. It truly is a part of Oakville’s community.

PS: I wanted to take pictures of the interior of the store, but with dozens of people everywhere, I felt awkward snapping pictures of the ceilings and walls. I will add pictures at a later date – when I build up the courage to snap pictures in the crowded store.