World's Coolest Starbucks Stores

Stores that break out of the ‘Bucks cookie-cutter mold

By Maryse Chevriere, Special Contributor

Credit: Rien Meulman Fotografie, Starbucks

More Articles by Maryse Chevriere

Mar 20, 2012 @ 3:21 PM

It’s no doubt a rare occasion when a Starbucks store gets associated with words like "unique" and "one-of-a-kind." Rare, but not outside of the realm of possibility.

In the last couple of months, there has been a string of unique Starbucks stores making headlines. First there was an eco-friendly structure in Tukila, Wash., made entirely from reclaimed shipping containers, followed by the world’s first ski-in/ski-out location in California’s Squaw Valley.

Most recently, there was the news of the opening of an Amsterdam location called "The Bank." The concept store — complete with locally inspired design elements and a "Slow" Coffee Theatre for testing new brewing methods — has been promoted by the company as a "glimpse into Starbucks’ vision for the future."

Slideshow: World's Coolest Starbucks Stores Slideshow

But it’s not just these new concept stores that stand out in the crowd (and when it comes to Starbucks stores, there is definitely a crowd). Some locations distinguish themselves by innovative exterior design, others by their unexpected surroundings — and in one case, at least, by simply being atypical for the brand.