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Global coffee chain Starbucks has opened its first store in Ecuador’s capital city, Quito.
The launch of the location comes as part of the company’s partnership with Delonorte S.A. and its continued expansion across Latin America and the Caribbean, marking its 1700th store and 25th market in the region.
“We are tremendously proud to celebrate our 1,700th store in Latin America and the Caribbean with the opening of Ecuador’s first Starbucks café in the historic and vibrant city of Quito,” says Ricardo Arias-Nath, Senior Vice President of Starbucks in Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Starbucks has been sourcing high-quality Arabica coffee from Ecuador for over a decade, and with our first store opening in the market, we look forward to creating moments of connection over coffee for Ecuadorian customers and continuing the rich coffee traditions inherent to the region.”
The new store is located at the Scala Mall in Quito’s Cumbaya neigbourhood and is the first of five Starbucks stores planned to open in the country this year, along with two additional cafés set to launch at Centro Comercial Iñaquito in 2025.
As part of its collaboration, the stores will be operated by Delonorte S.A., a subsidiary of Delosi. The company currently manages 120 Starbucks locations in Peru and seven locations in Bolivia.
“Our commitment to Ecuador is long-term. We are very happy to be able to connect with the market’s coffee culture and traditions, and we are honoured to open our first store in Ecuador,” says Brand Manager of Starbucks Ecuador Cristel Delgado.
“We aim to make a positive impact in our communities by creating jobs, establishing a Third Place for our customers, elevating everyday moments, and providing flavourful experiences for our partners and customers. This is just the beginning of our efforts to foster connections and celebrate the vibrant spirit of our community.”
The Quito store will feature an indoor terrace overlooking the Scala shopping mall, as well as modular wood panels, marble counters, and digital menu boards featuring Starbucks’ signature blends.
To celebrate the local culture, the brand partnered with Ecuadorian artist Apitatán (also known as Juan Sebastián Aguirre Ríos) to create the central mural in the café, presenting a woman surrounded by local animals, with side columns displaying a blooming Guayacán Andino tree native to Ecuador.
In addition to this, and in its commitment to helping communities in the local areas surrounding its cafés, Starbucks Ecuador partners will also be participating in a volunteer initiative with non-profit organisation Junior Achievement Ecuador, which focuses on cleaning Quito’s San Pedro River.
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