GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Starbucks Coffee Company, in partnership with licensed business operator Prestige Holdings Limited, announced on April 24 the opening of its first store in Guyana, marking a historic milestone for the global company’s Latin America and Caribbean operations.
The new café – located at Amazonia Mall, a shopping and dining hub on the east bank of Georgetown’s Demerara River – is a drive-thru store that also boasts a walk-up window designed for on-the-go customers looking for convenient access to their favorite Starbucks handcrafted espresso-based beverages and menu options including sandwiches, wraps, juices and more.
For customers who wish to relax, unwind and enjoy Starbucks iconic coffeehouse experience, the 2,475 sq. ft. café also features interior seating for over 50 people and a cozy outdoor patio.
“Building on more than 20 years of retail operations in Latin America and the Caribbean and alongside our business partner Prestige Holdings Limited, we are honored to have the opportunity to bring the Starbucks Experience to local customers with the opening of our first store in Guyana,” said Tom Ferguson, Starbucks president of Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Starbucks remains committed to offering the highest quality, ethically sourced coffees from around the world and providing a gathering place where members of the community can connect with family and friends. Our Starbucks Guyana green apron partners (employees) are excited to welcome customers to our Amazonia Mall store as we begin this meaningful new chapter in Guyana,” added Ferguson.
The Guyana debut marks Starbucks 23rd market in Latin America and the Caribbean and 85th market globally, demonstrating the company’s long-term commitment to and investment in the region where it expects to open approximately 120 additional new stores by the end of the year. In early March 2023, Starbucks achieved its 1,600th store milestone in the region, providing employment opportunities for over 22,000 green apron partners.
The new location is operated by Prestige Holdings, Starbucks trusted licensed business operator, which has managed the brand’s locations in Trinidad & Tobago for more than seven years.
“Together with our local Guyanese business partners, we are excited to introduce the Starbucks brand in this dynamic market,” said Simon Hardy, CEO of Prestige Holdings Limited. “It will bring a new coffee shop experience to customers within the region, as well as positively impact the communities in which we operate, by providing employment opportunities, and boosting the local economy.”
Rainforest-inspired Design
A beautiful land of untouched rainforests, Guyana’s unique ecosystem serves as an inspiration for the first Starbucks location in the market. The textures, patterns, materials and culture of this special place have been layered into the Amazonia Mall store design – from the wooden chairs to the walnut-colored tables – bringing to life a unique space that honors and celebrates the natural paradise of Guyana.
The store features a stunning four-piece wall mural by Guyanese artist, Nigel “Nix” Butler. Nix portrays the jaguar – Guyana’s national animal – situated in his natural environment and looking towards the bar. This engaging and dynamic composition makes visitors feel as if they are having a cup of coffee in the rainforest with the jaguar, inspiring them to face the day or the next challenge that comes their way.
Starbucks: Third Place for the Guyanese Community
The new store in Guyana will act as a ‘third place’ for customers – a welcoming space away from home and work where people can connect over a cup of coffee. It will also positively impact the Georgetown community by supporting more than 50 local jobs.
Guided by the Starbucks Mission and Values, Starbucks is committed to attracting and retaining an industry-leading team of partners and creating opportunities to develop fulfilling careers in the coffee industry. As a testament to this, Starbucks green apron partners for the Amazonia Mall store underwent a three-month barista training in Trinidad & Tobago where they learned how to prepare Starbucks signature handcrafted coffee beverages.
Starbucks has a longstanding commitment of investing in the communities it serves worldwide, and The Starbucks Foundation will provide a grant of $10,000 to local nonprofit organization Save Abee Foundation for their Abee (Us) Certificate of Technology program. Awarded as part of the Global Community Impact Grants initiative, this grant will support Save Abee Foundation in reaching 200 Guyanese youth with digital literacy and computer skills training, helping to support their ability to seek employment opportunities and thrive in the digital world. In addition, Starbucks partners (employees) in Guyana will explore ways to mentor and support students in the Save Abee program.
