“Starbucks has a role and a meaningful relationship with people that is not only about the coffee.”

– Howard Schultz, Chairman and CEO of Starbucks

Coffee culture is a global phenomenon. I am not a coffee addict myself—in fact, I don’t even prefer drinking coffee. But there is something about Starbucks that draws me to the shop. I drink a cup of coffee whenever I see one during my travels. Starbucks is magic.

I was happy when they opened one in Obihiro City. I hope there will be more. I visited Seattle during our meeting with our American collaborators. I noticed that there’s a Starbucks in almost every corner. There are already 104 Starbucks in Seattle!

Seattle is already synonymous with Starbucks coffee, as this is the birthplace of Starbucks! My Japanese professor told me that Seattle’s weather is very gloomy, and coffee shops were invented to brighten up the city. I am unsure if that story is authentic. Still, I knew I needed to visit the first Starbucks store. I was already in Seattle. The Pike Place Starbucks was established in 1971 at the Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle.

Three former students of the University of San Francisco created the first coffee shop. They were English teacher Jerry Baldwin, history teacher Zev Siegl, and writer Gordon Bowker. The shop was inspired by a coffee-roasting entrepreneur, Alfred Peet. They got the name Starbucks from the chief mate in the novel “Moby Dick”. Due to the historical significance of the store, it has retained its original appearance. Having been at the original site is a wonderful experience given the fact how big the Starbucks empire has become.

The first Starbucks store was not built at its current location, 1912 Pike Place. This commonly held notion is not true. The first Starbucks was built in 2000 Western Avenue from 1971–1976 and then relocated to Pike Place. This is not the original location of the first store. Still, it was the first to be relocated to the current place. Thus, it still has the original vibe of the first Starbucks.

A tall pumpkin spice latte to go, please.