Monday, August 12, 2019

3 Years with World's first Starbucks Signing Store, Bangsar


Three years is a momentous milestone for any business, what more for the first Starbucks Signing Store in the world at Bangsar Village II. To celebrate this moment, Starbucks Malaysia showcased the passion and growth of their Deaf partners, who have now achieved the certification of Advanced Coffee Masters, an achievement that further develops their barista skills and coffee knowledge.

Leaning into growth opportunities at Starbucks, the Advanced Coffee Masters Program teaches qualified baristas new coffee mastery skills for different coffee equipment. Thus, the newly-certified Deaf Advanced Coffee Masters are able to brew coffee using the Pour Over method. In addition, these Deaf baristas are also qualified to conduct coffee chat sessions with the public using sign language much like the baristas at the Starbucks Reserve™ stores in Malaysia. Throughout these three years, the Starbucks Signing Store advocates continuous learning and development of each barista.

Dedicated to empowering the hearing-impaired community throughout Malaysia, Starbucks Malaysia has announced plans to open the first Starbucks Signing Store in Penang. Mimicking the Starbucks Signing Store in Bangsar Village II, the Deaf baristas in the Penang Signing Store will get the opportunity to develop soft skills, such as work ethics, teamwork and career attributes. The Penang Signing Store is scheduled to open by the end of this year. 

So what sets the Starbucks Signing Store from other outlets? Well, you can expect a more hands on experience. Customers will be familiar with what they see and smell: the rich aroma of the finest Arabica coffee, served by partners in the iconic green aprons in a warm, bustling environment. But while Deaf partners engage with customers with the enthusiasm, passion and craft that they expect from Starbucks, they deliver the iconic Starbucks Experience in a uniquely uplifting way. 

As customers place their order, they will notice something different, as the usual greeting and sound of baristas calling out beverage orders is replaced by sign language. Customers place orders using a simple menu card which they mark before passing it to the barista and Deaf partners use handwritten notes to communicate with customers. Upon placing the order, each customer is given a number on the receipt and once the beverage has been prepared, the number is displayed on a screen telling them it’s ready. 

Of course, if you're familiar with sign language then by all means, go ahead and sign!

Besides this celebratory event, Starbucks has also recently announced their second collaboration with iconic Malaysian actress Neelofa to present a curated collection of scarves exclusively at Starbucks.
Paying homage to Starbucks Frappucino colors and Neelofa’s home-grown scarf brand, Naelofar, the Starbucks X Naelofar Scarf Collection is the first of its kind to be exclusively retailed at selected Starbucks stores.

The collaboration draws inspiration from the timeless and iconic colors of Starbucks Frappuccino beverages which draws on flavors derived from Chocolate, Caramel and Green Tea. As such, the scarves in the Starbucks x Naelofar collection will feature colors which include warm brown, soft beige and pastel green. Packaged in an adorable Starbucks tumbler replica, the scarves themselves are made of pleated material and can be versatilely worn in a multitude of styles to accessorize and complete any outfit.

Available from 5 August onwards, the Starbucks x Naelofar Collection scarves are priced at RM75 each and RM1 of each scarf purchase will be donated to Neelofa’s charity of choice. Meanwhile, the limited-edition Malaysian Tiger Bearista is priced at RM88. Exclusive to Malaysia, both the Starbucks x Naelofar Scarf Collection and Malaysian Tiger Bearista will be available at all Starbucks stores nationwide, while stocks last.

For more information, please visit the Starbucks Malaysia website at www.starbucks.com.my.

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