Posts Tagged ‘15th Avenue Coffee and Tea’


Starbucks is brewing a new marketing plan with wine and beer offerings

June 28th, 2010 by chelsea

Starbucks is considering expanding its brand from fine-brewed coffee by adding a repertoire of sophisticated, locally sourced beverages.

One of the coffee chain’s undercover stores–15th Ave. Coffee and Tea–plans to add wine and beer from Pacific Northwest vineyards and local brewers this fall. These changes accompany the store’s renovations, which include an indoor-outdoor fireplace.

Coffee has always been the mainstay of the chain, but its latest offerings and marketing initiatives with breakfast sandwiches and, more recently, VIA have emphasized the fast-paced lifestyle. Fine wines and hand-crafted beers appear to re-emphasize the brand’s long-standing value of fine quality.


Next up: coffee and wine-tasting room?




Photo via http://www.seattlepi.com






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Starbucks in disguise in Seattle

January 7th, 2010 by chelsea

You’d be mistaken to think you could get your iced venti, three pump vanilla, soy latte on the fly at Seattle’s 15th Avenue E Coffee and Tea Starbucks location.

That’s because this location is an undercover Starbucks moving away from the corporate stigma of high-priced, fast coffee and focusing on savoring the flavor of fresh-roasted beans, according to an article from CNN. Here you won’t see the green smocks or hear the clumsy squeal of the espresso machine — just the caramel-colored espresso filling shot glasses and the low hum of the steam wand.

This decadent cafe experience hails from the Starbucks of the 1990s — when the company founded its image on serving premium coffee rather than a quick caffeine fix, said Seattle-based blogger Melody Overton in the article.

After the 2009 economic downturn, Starbucks embarked on an experimental re-branding concept with  “stealth” stores like this location. “It’s rooted at the very core of Starbucks, we are an innovative company,” Arthur Rubinfeld, Starbucks president of global development, said. “We must continue to be that, and stay relevant as we continue to move forward and grow.”

The only indication the 15th Avenue E. location is connected to the coffee giant is its hardly visible “inspired by Starbucks” door sticker. And customers like it.

Out with the old, in with the new.


Photo via vidafine.com


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