The wait is over for local coffee fans as the new Starbucks store (at the corner of NW 53rd St and 15th Ave NW) opened its container doors for the very first time this morning.
The store, which is made entirely of reused shipping containers, offers locals a walk up/bike window and drive through service. A few parking spots are up for grabs and bike racks are also on offer.
The outside of the shipping containers are adorned with a map of our favorite neighborhood (Ballard of course!) that were painted by local artist Sign Savant. Sign Savant is the working name of Japhy Witte whose work can be seen brightening up many hot spots around they city including Neumos, Moe Bar, and Under The Needle.
As well as the map, one container is decorated with the reasons behind Starbucks’ choice of building materials. Check out the text below:
Why did we build this? Starbucks relies on shipping containers for transportation around the world. We also rely on the planet we all share, and we believe in doing things that are good for the earth. This means finding solutions that keep things like old shipping containers out of the waste stream. So we’ve found a way to reuse them to make stores like this.
The My Ballard team stopped by the new store this afternoon to check it out and met Store Manager Ama Groscup, who has worked with Starbucks for seven years. Groscup and her team are excited for locals to check out the new store!
“I’ve really loved how involved the community is with Starbucks and how well received this store has been in the neighborhood. We are so excited to be a part of the Ballard community,” says Groscup.
The store will be open everyday from 4:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. and will offer customers the usual free WiFi services.