Starbucks Expands Beer/Wine Concept

Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee Co. will expand its wine, beer and premium food offerings to a handful of locations in Atlanta and Southern California by the end of 2012. The company also plans to bring the concept to Chicago, with all three locations marking its first extension of the evening day-part concept outside of the Pacific Northwest.

“Building an evening day-part is a natural progression for us as we are always looking for ways to evolve and enhance the Starbucks Experience based on what our customers are telling us,” says Clarice Turner, senior vp, U.S. Operations. “We’re pleased with the response of our customers to the introduction of wine, beer and premium food at several of our stores in the Pacific Northwest, and we’re excited to see how the idea translates to other markets.”

Starbucks opened the first evening day-part concept at its Olive Way location in Seattle in October 2010. The expanded food and beverage menu has since been expanded to five stores in the Seattle area and one in Portland, Ore.

As part of an enhanced menu, these stores will serve new premium food (including savory snacks, small plates and hot flatbreads) as well as wine and beer. These stores will also incorporate flexible seating to accommodate individuals and small groups as well as larger parties that want to host community meetings or other events such as book clubs.