Starbucks Uses LED Lights in new Soho Store

Chain Store Age presented information on new LEED Starbucks store in New York

There is nothing cookie-cutter about Starbucks’ renovated store in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood. From the furniture to the flooring to the lighting, the 15-year-old store has undergone a complete makeover.

In keeping with Starbucks’ commitment to build locally relevant stores going forward, the design draws upon SoHo’s rich heritage and its vibrant arts and cultural scene. The shop is warm and earthy, with industrial accents. It feels real and authentic -- and totally at home in its locale.
"Everything from the chairs to the smaller cafe tables were chosen to create a more intimate environment for our customers," said Tim Pfeiffer, senior VP global design, Starbucks. “There is soft seating in every seat, with the exception of the bar stools.”

The visual highlights include two large paintings by famed New York “messaging” artist Peter Tunney. Reflecting Starbucks’ mission, words such as “gratitude” and "peace " are integrated into the collage-styled paintings. A series of evocative black and white photos behind the counter show scenes from the communities scattered around the globe where Starbucks coffee beans are farmed.

“For the first time, we are providing a visual story of where our coffee comes from,” Pfeiffer said.

GREEN: The design emphasizes locally sourced materials and reused/recycled elements: A bench table, chairs and flooring are made from repurposed wood from Pennsylvania, while wallpaper comes from reused burlap coffee sacks from Starbucks roasting plants. Lighting is provided by energy-efficient LED lamps. The store is registered for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification as part of Starbuck’s commitment to the U.S. Green Building Council’s Volume Certification pilot program. It’s one of 12 pilot stores worldwide that Starbucks is opening in conjunction with the Volume program

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