Starbucks Opens First Reserve Bar in Latin America

Starbucks has opened its first Reserve Bar in Latin America in Santiago, Chile.

It took Starbucks designer Jeremiah Bailey and his team more than a year to bring the space to life. Bailey noted that local materials were used to “infuse the space with the DNA of Santiago to make the store feel like home.”

The new store, located in the El Golf neighbourhood, features an interactive coffee bar that highlights rare, small-lot Starbucks Reserve coffees from around the world. Baristas are all certified Coffee Masters who handcraft beverages using a variety of state-of-the-art brewing techniques like siphon, Black Eagle manual espresso machines and Nitro Draft Cold Brew taps to bring out the coffees’ flavours.

Customers can also enjoy the classic Starbucks menu in addition to specialty beverages inspired by the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle including Sparkling Espresso with Mint and Nitro Cold Brew with Sweet Vanilla Cream. Starbucks stores with Reserve coffee bars will make up 20% of the company’s global store portfolio over time.

The mural, on a concrete wall 30 feet wide by 13 feet tall, is a focal point in the café. Starbucks designer Jeremiah Bailey found the work of Nicolas Arroyo online and knew that his artistic style could tell Chile’s story. “There is a distinct graphic quality in Santiago seen particularly with street art,” he said. “Nicolas uses this same style, which features bold, thick lines. I had a strong sense that his work would resonate with customers.”

“Given that Starbucks is an international brand, it’s important that the company’s stores have a sense of something local to provide that local context,” Arroyo said. “When you live in a place, you sometimes take it for granted. Santiago is a wonderful city. It’s beautiful and I hope the mural helps remind Chileans just how beautiful it really is.”

“Ultimately, the store is for the customers, but it’s also for the partners,” Bailey said, referring to Starbucks employees in the store. “It was so wonderful to watch partners look around the space for the first time and see their eyes light up. It’s now their new home and they have the chance to bring it to life.”

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