Pike Place Starbucks – The Original Starbucks, The First Starbucks in the World
Address: 1912 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
Opening Hours: Daily 6:00am – 9:00pm
Telephone Number: +1 206-448-8762
I had a romanticized version of Seattle before coming in the Emerald City. And Pike Place market is one of those places where I indulged myself with thoughts that I was going to enjoy myself in this place. And that it’s the best market in the world (and coming into my senses that it wasn’t. More on that in future blogs).
The first ever Starbucks store, more commonly known as Pike Place Starbucks or Original Starbucks, is one of those places that I aspire to go. I’m not a fan of Starbucks or Starbucks Reserve, to be honest. That was before coming into the amazing Starbucks Roastery and Tasting Room on the other end of Pike Street.
Imagine my dismay when I arrived in Seattle at the hottest summer-like temperatures (86 degrees to be exact) and I encountered this queue. Crazy! This is not what coffee dreams are made of. I lined up, dutifully, for fear of not enjoying the Starbucks experience.
The good thing, though, is that the line moves quite quickly. And within 30 minutes, I was inside the store. It was a bit of a letdown.
While all the interiors were preserved since its opening in 1971, I felt that there was no difference being there other than their merchandise that is only unique to this store. It is only here that you can buy Starbucks mugs stamped “The First Starbucks”.
This bust was the only part of the First Starbucks that made it authentic.
You can grab some beans of course. I have to admit the Pike Place brew was amazing, unlike I have ever tasted. Rich and full bodied, you’ll get the best in a cup early in the morning.
I got myself a flat white, because, why not? After lining up for 30 minutes for a Starbucks store, I am not about to get out of the store empty-handed. This, and some really rare mugs from Starbucks brightened my day.
While undoubtedly Howard Shultz left some word of the wise to impart with everyone in this wall, the first Starbucks store was meant to remind everyone – Starbucks and non-Starbucks fans alike – that the journey to a legacy starts with a small step.
