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Nation's Restaurant News
Inside Starbucks’ first Reserve Roastery in Italy
Nancy Luna Sep 08, 2018

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The opening of the Milan cafe represents a dream come true,” Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said recently. The now chairman emeritus of Starbucks walked the streets of Milan in 1983, and became smitten with the cafe scene in Italy. He set out to replicate that ethos with Starbucks.

Starbucks

Hours before the Reserve Roastery opening, the line outside wrapped the length of the building, Starbucks said. Starbucks employees passed out cups of French press coffee for the crowds to enjoy as they waited in line.

Starbucks

By noon, hours after the Roastery opened, the line still stretched down the side of the building as customers stood in the rain.

Starbucks

Once inside, customers took selfies and videos of the grand café. The entrance features a floor-to-ceiling brass engraved wall that tells the story of Starbucks.

Starbucks

In a nod to the countertops in Milan espresso bars, all bartops in Roastery are made of marble. They were carved from a 30-ton block of marble obtained from a Tuscan quarry.

Starbucks

Howard Schultz and the Milan store general manager, Giampaolo Grossi, welcome the Roastery’s first customers.

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Customer Lin Shen Chi packs merchandise he bought into a suitcase. He plans to take it home to friends in his native Taiwan.

Starbucks

The Roastery’s mosaic marble floor was handcrafted in the traditional Palladian style. However, its geometric ceiling was designed and engineered digitally, creating a blend of history and future, Starbucks said.

Starbucks

The mezzanine level, accessed by a sweeping staircase, features the Arriviamo Bar. It features more than 100 cocktails with new creations and traditional favorites like the Negroni and the Aperol spritz.

Starbucks

The Roastery’s European terrace features cafe tables, some of which sit in giant, bronze bird cages.

Starbucks

Milan is the third Starbucks Reserve Roastery in the world. The others are located in Seattle and Shanghai. The Milan roastery is the first facility featuring a Scolari roaster that customers can move around to view every step of the coffee roasting process.

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