Starbucks opens flagship store in Cambodia
Starbucks Coffee opened its newest flagship store in Asia, located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 7 October. Cambodia is Starbucks 16th market in the China and Asia Pacific region. In September, Starbucks celebrated 20 years since the opening of its first store outside North America in Japan and today, the company has more than 6,200 stores across the China and Asia Pacific Region
“Our new flagship store in Phnom Penh’s vibrant Boeung Keng Kang neighborhood will excite Cambodian customers with a unique coffee experience that showcases our deep passion for some of the finest coffees from around the world, while honoring the country’s rich heritage and culture,” said Mark Ring, president, Starbucks Asia Pacific.
Through its licensed partner Coffee Concepts (Cambodia) Limited, a subsidiary of Hong Kong Maxim’s Group, Starbucks entered the Cambodian market in December 2015 and currently operates two stores at Aeon Mall and the Phnom Penh International Airport.
“We are pleased to further strengthen the partnership between Maxim’s and Starbucks in Asia and look forward to continuing to deliver the unique Starbucks experience through coffee leadership, high-quality products, exceptional service and engaging baristas in a welcoming environment to customers across Cambodia,” said Michael Wu, chairman and managing director, Hong Kong Maxim’s Group.
At the flagship store, the atmosphere invites customers to explore the tastes and flavors of coffees from around the world. Customers can sit at the interactive coffee bar and experience a range of brewing techniques including Siphon, Cold Brew, Pour-over, Coffee Press and the state-of-the-art Black Eagle espresso machine, which delivers a smooth quality and consistent taste profile that complements Starbucks signature handcrafted beverages.
The flagship store features Starbucks core menu in addition to rare small-lot coffees through its exclusive Starbucks Reserve coffee program. For the store opening, baristas handcrafted two small lot Starbucks Reserve coffees: Colombia La Unión 16 and Papua New Guinea Luoka. Over time, the store will showcase a rich variety of coffees that draw on Starbucks relationships with small lot coffee farmers from the world’s coffee growing regions. All Starbucks Reserve coffee is roasted at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room in Seattle.
Select partners (employees) at the store are Starbucks Coffee Masters. The Coffee Master program recognises their expertise with the special designation of the black apron after they pass written and taste tests.
The design of the new two-story, 650 square-meter (7,000 square-feet) store features local craftsmanship and iconic global images, including a hand-carved Siren made of Cambodian sandstone, an illustration of Starbucks first store at the Pike Place market on a textured rattan canvas, a coffee landscape inspired tapestry made of fabric tightly woven on a rattan frame, and a metal sculpture hanging over the bar inspired by the coffee aroma.
The centerpiece is a hand-painted mural over the staircase to the second floor, and illustrates the popular Cambodian folklore of Sovann Maccha, the siren princess with a tail that is transformed into two majestic Naga dragons. Illustrated by prominent local urban artists Peap Tarr and Lisa Mam, the mural highlights the distinct beauty and characteristics of urban Khmer art.
As Starbucks continues to expand its store footprint in Cambodia, it is deeply committed to being an active member of the community and a catalyst for positive change. Currently, Starbucks is working with Cambodian Children’s Fund, a non-government organisation that works with children in one of the most underserved areas of Phnom Penh. The Cambodian Children’s Fund aims to transform the country’s most impoverished children into future leaders, by delivering education, family support and social development programs to the local community.
