Starbucks

Good Starbucks and you would be surprised to see that there are plenty of tables and seats available, as most people who come here, they just take coffee to-​go. Probably less crowded than other Starbucks in the vicinity (I would avoid the Seattle Municipal Tower one because you will spend about 10 minutes just standing in line).

On the surface this unassuming Starbucks, located on the ground floor of the Columbia Tower, seems like just any other Starbucks. But there is a bit of coffee history here: this is the site of Howard Schultz’s (future Starbucks CEO) first coffee shop.
After a visit to Italy in the 80s, Shultz saw that coffee shops were everywhere, and besides serving coffee, were important social meeting places (much like English pubs). He came back driven to bring the concept to this country. However, although he was director of marketing for Starbucks, the Starbucks founders could not be convinced to sell coffee drinks — they were all about selling coffee beans, and only beans.
Schultz quit and started his own chain of coffee shops, Il Giornale. This Columbia Tower Starbucks was chosen as the first Il Giornale location, opening in 1986. Il Giornale eventually had six locations, before Il Giornale bought out Starbucks in 1987, and assumed the Starbucks name.
Starbucks gives every store a unique number. This is store #101, the leading «1» signifying it was one of the few original Il Giornale locations. The «01» means it was the first.
It could be argued the Starbucks at this location has more rights to the claim of «first Starbucks» than the famous Pike market location, as the latter only sold coffee beans. Here was pioneered the then radical concept of selling high-​end, expensive coffee directly to the public. And truly the rest is history!
So after visiting the more glamorous Starbucks on the 40^th floor of Columbia Tower, we stopped by here for a coffee for history’s sake. We enjoyed our drinks, and toasted the unsung Il Giornale.

Pre-​ordered my double smoked bacon Cheddar egg sandwich but the reserve coffee is still not on the menu to order.
I believe they are working on this.
C’mon Starbucks… time is money.

They are busy here but I never wait more than five minutes. The awesome baristas remember my order even though I change it up randomly. Always get great service here and delicious drinks.

The best Starbucks I’ve ever been to in the Northwest. Plenty of room to work and get stuff done, friendly baristas, and just a fantastic atmosphere overall. Anytime I come to Seattle, I’m here.

Right off the main street in the most awesome tower in Seattle, this shop for the morning masses does a good, smooth job for my latte… and I beat the Rush Line! Oh_​_​_​_​yeah.

This Starbucks is not on the 40^th Floor, it’s on the first floor Lobby where the food courts are located. It’s gets crowded during the morning rush and stays busy throughout the day.

Okay fine. I never sent a letter to her boss.
Because while I would like to believe the consequence for such terrible service is getting fired– I really don’t want anyone to lose their job just for being a butt.
So I came back because my dad works here, and while waiting to have lunch with him and my mom my mom desired a Breve. She ignored my long-​standing (justified and chronicled in my previous review) feud with this stand and sent me to retrieve her libations.
She liked it, but they were slow. Super slow, Had to explain a Breve. The most commonly ordered drink in ever. So two stars.
I had no idea the observation deck had a starbucks, I guess I should check that out.

I’m reviewing Starbucks in Columbia Tower on FLOOR 40. there’s also one in lobby level.
The ladies and gentlemen on level 40 are always extremely courteous, friendly to each other and make the drinks fast. I’ve never had any problems there and pretty much frequent the place 4 days a week. Check out the amazing view while you’re at it.