STARBUCKS - 100TH STORE IN SINGAPORE

Although the coffee shop choices here in Singapore are boundless, Starbucks still remains my personal favorite brew.  

I was interested to learn that the 100th Starbucks store was opening this February 14th.  The location, at the Waterboat House, close to the Fullerton Hotel and the Singapore river, is a great one.  Not only is the location great, the 100th store is the first "give back" store in Singapore.  In this case, giving back to the local Community by hiring and training employees with Autism - this in collaboration with the Pathlight School.

Starbucks has collaborated with the Autism Resource Center in Singapore since 2005 through various programs including the Pathlight School, a café training facility for its students.

Six  partners with autism will be working in Starbucks new store, in the heart of the Singapore Central Business District, including Marcus Lim, a full-time barista.

                                      more....

I headed over to the new store this past Sunday to check it out.  Being in the Central Business District, I figured it would be a little quieter on a weekend, which is was.  

This Starbucks sits a bit like a sandwich.  Above is the iconic Waterboat House, housing the Boathouse Restaurant and it's roof top bar - Prelude.  Below, is a huge souvenir store, catering to the many tourists that walk past here on the way to see the Merlion, which is very close by.  Although there is no outside seating at this Starbucks, there is an outside staircase up to the Prelude Bar. 

A side view, the Starbucks sandwich.

A front view of the Starbucks and the Waterboat House

As you enter the store you are greeted with this.

The inside of the store was pretty big, and had some very interesting features throughout. There are two service counters as you walk in, and a small seating area to the left with unique wall art depicting six Samsui Women. 

 There are also special edition 100th Store Singapore mugs for sale (limited numbers) - a great addition to my collection.   Also some special edition tumblers.

Between the counters is a long walkway which opens up into the main seating area of the store. The first thing you notice, is the really long table in the middle of the space.  At each end of the table is an inlaid plaque, one commemorating the first Singapore store, opened in 1996, the other commemorating the 100th Store opening.  Dotted amongst the other tables are plaques with the dates of the other 98 Singapore store openings.

I have to state at this point that all my photos were taken with my I-phone as I foolishly left my cameral at home.

There was a wall showing a map of all the Singapore stores.  A very cool trash can shaped like a take away cup was pretty cool too.  Throughout is roping and some very cool lights bowing to the nautical theme, but with not too much overkill.

A trash can, believe it or not.

Lots of seating space

A map on the wall showing Singapore store locations

But perhaps the best spot of all was the little corner I chose to sit.  A great view of the river with the water taxi's going by.  Also a great view of all the tourist groups passing below.  I would be happy to while away some time here any day of the week.  Plus, when the coffee is gone, you can always walk round to see the Merlion and "baby" Merlion at Merlion Park, and stare once again at the mighty Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

Starbucks have a great You Tube video showcasing the store and the "give back" concept, please check it out below.

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