Starbucks 200th Store Opening in KL, Malaysia

The first Starbucks store opened in Kuala Lumpur on 17 December 1998, to date they have expanded to Sabah and Sarawak and reached the 200 stores, including 19 Drive-Thru stores milestone. Now into their 16th year of operations, they still strive to provide a third place for their customers.

  

To ensure the continuity of their business growth, they focused on a secure and steady retail expansion with 25 new stores opened in 2015 to date. They will be opening new stores in the near future at Bintulu Times Square, Aman Central in Alor Setar, and Tesco Jenjarom. In fact, it's interesting to get to know more about Starbucks stories through Sydney Quays, Starbucks Managing Director that morning esp. when he mentioned how nice the Penang Starbucks ambience at Batu Ferringhi Beach location, I was fantasizing myself at the beach, daydreaming that I was sipping the aromatic coffee with my Pareo Sarong. Haha...In my next holiday in Penang, I'll definitely visit and hit that hot spot for sure.

In their efforts to support tourism in Malaysia, they have introduced their iconic city mugs, tumblers, and specially crafted Mengkuang based products. Very Malaysian feel, I kinda like it and starting to miss my kampung in Johor already.

About the Connecting Communities Project

In 2013, Starbucks launching the Connecting Communities Project. Starbucks is committed to empowering local Malaysian communities and with this scalable community project that contributes to small villages focusing of local sourcing. This project will not only encourage ethical sourcing but also opens a gateway opportunity to make an impact to the farmers’ families and their community.

  

Starbucks purchased a sizeable amount of fresh bananas directly from the farmers, which were used in several types of banana-based edible products at their stores. The products that are available (retailing at all Starbucks stores in Peninsular Malaysia): 
@ Signature Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin: RM6.90
@ Banana Chocolate Decadence: RM11.55

In 2015, Starbucks partnered with Craft CT 01 Enterprise located at Felda Chini Timur 1 at the East Coast of Malaysia to develop Mengkuang based products. The products will then be retailed at selected Starbucks store in Malaysia.

The products that are available at the 200th store are; 
@ Mengkuang Hot Cup Sleeves: RM15.90 (2-pcs)/ RM9.90 (1-pc)
@ Mengkuang Hot Cup Sleeves (200^th Store Limited Edition): RM12.90 (1-pc)
@ Mengkuang Coasters: RM38 (4-pcs)/ RM22 (2pcs)
@ Mengkuang Placemat: RM22.90
@ Mengkuang Card Holder: RM15.90
@ Mengkuang Pouch: RM25.90
@  Mengkuang Bookmark: RM6.90  

About their 200^th store – Starbucks, Ansa (formerly known as Piccolo Hotel)

Their 200th store features a heritage concept that was inspired by where and how the brand began. The store design includes the story of Connecting Communities in Malaysia Project; this project is a scalable community project that contributes to small villages in support of local sourcing which was launched in 2013. These features can be found at selected areas in this store; on the community table, pastry case, feature wall and the merchandise wall.

1. Community Table
Designs with coffee elements, banana and Mengkuang leaves are meticulously carved onto the table.

2. Merchandise Wall
There is section dedicated to retail Mengkuang based products such as Bookmark, Card Holder, Placemat, Hot Cup Sleeve and Coaster. Currently they are retailing the limited edition 200th store Mengkuang Hot Cup Sleeve, available while stocks last.

  

3. Feature Wall
Specially woven Mengkuang mats can be found hanging on the wall.

4. Pastry Case
They are retailing banana based products using bananas sourced from Kuala Selangor, Selangor.

·         Total investment: RM 1.35 million for  2582 square feet.

·         Total seating capacity: 72 indoor, 24 outdoor = 96 total

            Business Hours: 7:30am – 1:00am (Sunday – Thursday) , 7:30am – 2:00am (Friday &Saturday)

  

Featured Food Products:

Besides the usual beverages and food that their customers can enjoy, this store also offers special food products which are only available at this store like; 

·       @ Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cake: RM12.80 
·       @ Snowy Chocolate Scone: RM6.80

·         Baked Egg Danish: RM7.80

·         Focaccia Treasure Pot: RM12.80 

 

     

      I was glad I attended this media event to celebrate Starbucks 200th store dragging myself there early in the morning, it's great to get up close with Starbucks brand that day where they also served us fresh-brewed coffee that succeed to wake me up instantly, very naturally. Not forgetting their signature Ice Blended Duo Cocoa Mocha and good food they had just created to tease our Malaysian tastebuds. Not bad, check it out yourself when you're around that corner, situated right at the heart of the most happening KL city centre. Coffee keeps me awake and alive everyday, a cup a day absolutely keeps the doctor away! ;)