The First Starbucks Store at Pike Place Market

When we found out that we had to go to Seattle to board our Cruise, we did some research on things to do, and the only thing we really, really wanted to do was visit the first Starbucks Store in Pike Place Market.

Ady and I love coffee, and we both love Starbucks, the pioneer that brought coffee culture to the Philippines, so we couldn't really miss visiting a substantial part of the Starbucks history. I even remember reading about the Pike Place store in Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time, the book by Howard Schultz.

There's a Starbucks on 1st Avenue right across Pike Place Market.
That's not the first one.
If you enter the market through here, just walk to the right.

You'll see the first Starbucks Store across Pike Place street
not in the Pike Place Market building but within the general market area.

It's really a tourist attraction, with the old Starbucks logo, buskers in front,
and there is always a long line of tourists trying to get in.

You can tell that it's all tourists because everyone
is taking pictures.

They probably sell more Starbucks Pike Place
merchandise than coffee.

This is us in line, waiting for our turn to enter.

Just in case you're not sure, there are a lot of signs
that say this is The First Starbucks Store.

You see this once you get to enter the coffee shop.

If you look back towards the door, you'll see Pork n' Beans.
the Pig statue made with Coffee Beans.

The store is pretty organized, one line for order taking, the other side
of the store for waiting. There are no seats available. Totally Anti-Starbucks.
You take your pictures, mugs, and coffee and go.

When it was our turn to be served, instead of a drink
menu, we were given the merchandise menu.

For drinks, you can look at the black board,
or they probably assume you know what you want
if you're a regular customer.

After paying, people just stand and wait on the other side of the store.

Until the Barista calls your name.

I think the barista was surprised that the
 Venti Cinnamon Dolce Latte we ordered (to share)
was claimed by Sofia. Hahaha.

Ady with our CDL and Pike Place Tumblers.

Ady and I each bought a Starbucks Pike Place tumbler that's only available in the very first Starbucks Store. Despite the line, this is really my kind of tourist attraction. And if you want a pastry to go with your coffee, Piroshky Piroshky, this yummy Russian Bake Shop is just a few stores down, but since they also don't have any seating, you'll just have to eat and drink while standing in the street. just saying.

The First Starbucks Store

1912 Pike Place

Seattle, WA 981011013 

(206) 448-8762

You can read about our visit to Piroshky Piroshky here.