Starbucks Opens in Barbados
Unique experience promised for Starbucks customers in Barbados
Starbucks and Caribbean Coffee Traders opens first store in Haggatt Hall
Starbucks Coffee Company, in partnership with Caribbean Coffee Traders Ltd (CCTL), announced the arrival of the first Starbucks in Barbados. The new café, located at Haggatt Hall St. Michael, welcomes local customers from July 30. Customers will enjoy the iconic Starbucks coffeehouse experience alongside Starbucks signature beverages, and locally sourced menu options including sandwiches, wraps and juices.
“We are honoured to have the opportunity to bring the unparalleled Starbucks Experience to customers in Barbados, our 10th market in the Caribbean, in partnership with Caribbean Coffee Traders Limited,” said Ricardo Rico, general manager, Starbucks Latin America and the Caribbean. “We are confident that, together, we will provide value to our customers in a way that celebrates local culture and coffee traditions, while creating a positive economic impact in the communities of Barbados.”
CCTL is a consortium led by Margaritaville Caribbean Group and Adam Stewart in his private capacity, and through its sub-licensee Caribbean Coffee Baristas (Barbados) Ltd., will be the operating licensee of Starbucks® retail stores in Barbados, the fifth market where CCTL operates Starbucks outlets. Other locations are Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, the Cayman Islands and Panama.
“We are thrilled to introduce the Starbucks brand on the beautiful island of Barbados,” shared Ian Dear, Founding Partner of CCTL and CEO of Margaritaville Caribbean Group. “This opening allows us to continue with our solid growth in the region and will build on our long-term relationship with Starbucks while we continue elevating the coffee passion across the Caribbean.”
“The expansion of the Starbucks brand into more Caribbean markets is an important milestone for our region. Not only does Starbucks bring the opportunity of employment and boosting of the local economy through the use of locally-made products in our stores, but Starbucks and CCTL also pride themselves on their commitment to the communities in which they serve, offering a safe and comfortable place for our customers to enjoy and connect with one another,” added Adam Stewart, Founding Partner of CCTL and Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International.
Designing a unique store experience for customers in Barbados
In addition to ample indoor and outdoor seating, Starbucks’ first store in Barbados features a unique design and convenient pick-up window for customers on the go. Plans to offer customers a convenient way to place and pay for their order online, in advance of their visit, and pick it up at their earliest convenience at the store’s designated pick-up window are also underway. Inside the store, customers will find a mural created by local artist, Sandy Layne, that depicts the tropical foliage of Barbados. The balance between the textured three-dimensional artwork and the coffee theater throughout the store creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Creating opportunities for local youth
Starbucks has a long-standing history of investing in the communities it serves around the world. As part of its arrival to the country, The Starbucks Foundation is exploring partnership opportunities with Caribbean Coffee Baristas (Barbados) Ltd. and the Barbados Youth Development Council, to support a series of initiatives connecting youth in Barbados with the support and access they need to succeed.
Since first arriving in Latin America and the Caribbean region in 2002, Starbucks and its licensed partners have been committed to elevating the coffeehouse experience by delivering to its customers the finest arabica coffee sourced from around the world, warm and welcoming customer service and premium signature handcrafted beverages. With the opening of Barbados, Starbucks will operate more than 70 stores across 10 markets in the Caribbean region, including Aruba, Bahamas, Curacao, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and the Dominican Republic, where best-in-class local business operators employ nearly 1,000 partners (employees). Barbados marks Starbucks’ 22nd market across Latin America and the Caribbean region with the brand having a presence in 84 markets globally.
