Starbucks has hit New York City with its first express format store located at 14 Wall Street. Designed by their in-house design team, Starbucks have created a compact space that features horizontal wood slats that cover the walls and ceiling.
Located across from the New York Stock Exchange, Starbucks is opening its first-ever express format store at 14 Wall Street. Most Starbucks stores are designed in layers, integrating community gathering spaces, working environments and immersive coffee experiences, all in one location. This new express format store will be one of the most streamlined experiences in the company’s portfolio.
This pilot project is tailored for customers on-the-go who want high-quality Starbucks products in a beautiful environment, coupled with the efficiency that comes with knowing what they want, quickly. Simply put, this format is the “espresso shot” version of the store experience Starbucks is known for.
“This location on Wall Street was intentionally designed to take what’s at the heart of our cafés and distill that for a smaller space,” said Bill Sleeth, Starbucks vice president for Store Design. “It is the perfect example of how to balance high design, attention to detail and efficiency, while maintaining what is unique to who we are – our coffee and the connection between our customers and partners.”
A compact 538 square-foot location offered the team a unique challenge of maximizing the space while making sure customers had a fast, convenient experience. Getting this right meant starting from the beginning where, upon entry, customers are greeted by a Starbucks partner (employee) who will be able to take orders with a handheld device. Creating mobile point-of-sale positions throughout the store can help manage wait times.
“It was a small space so it was important that we keep it as open as possible,” said Starbucks senior architectural designer John Park. “The bar is low and kitchen framed wide, like a show kitchen, so our partners are able to interact with customers from every point in the space.”
“We carefully considered every component from a design and environmental perspective. Not only have we created something beautiful but we have built it to our green building LEED standards,” said Park. Starbucks plans to open four more express format stores in New York in 2015 as part of this pilot project.
from contemporist