Starbucks just revealed the first of 1,000 standalone bakeries it plans to open around the world. Here's what it's like to visit.

Advertisement
Starbucks just revealed the first of 1,000 standalone bakeries it plans to open around the world. Here's what it's like to visit.

Princi

Colleen Stinchcombe

Princi, the new upscale Italian bakery by Starbucks.

Advertisement
  • Starbucks just opened its first standalone Princi bakery, a high-end Italian spot, in its hometown of Seattle.
  • Princi's offerings include baked goods, a cocktail bar, and, of course, coffee.
  • Starbucks plans to open 1,000 more of the standalone bakeries. Here's what it was like to visit the first one.

The first Starbucks opened in Seattle in 1971, and while it's now a multinational coffee chain, the brand turned to its hometown to launch its first standalone Princi bakery.

The upscale Italian bakery is the result of a licensing partnership between Starbucks and the eponymous company of famous Italian baker Rocco Princi. It opened on Tuesday, July 31.

Princi's European-style baked goods were first introduced at the Capitol Hill Starbucks' Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room, with a later iteration opening at the Reserve store at the company's Seattle headquarters.

Advertisement

Starbucks plans to open 1,000 more of the standalone bakeries around the world, according to Fortune.

Here's what it was like to visit one.

{{}}

The restaurant has the friendly and casual buzz of a local Starbucks, though it’s a little unclear where you're supposed to stand, and a line builds up quickly.

The restaurant has the friendly and casual buzz of a local Starbucks, though it’s a little unclear where you're supposed to stand, and a line builds up quickly.

The decor is modern, industrial, and minimalist.

The decor is modern, industrial, and minimalist.
Advertisement

Art gives the space personality.

Art gives the space personality.

Food is the focus, and focaccia pizza is a popular option. This verdure grigliate (grilled vegetable) pizza cost $8 a slice.

Food is the focus, and focaccia pizza is a popular option. This verdure grigliate (grilled vegetable) pizza cost $8 a slice.
Advertisement

They weigh your salad to make sure you're getting exactly the amount of food you’re promised.

They weigh your salad to make sure you're getting exactly the amount of food you’re promised.

Desserts are served with care on branded plates and wooden platters. This frangipane ai frutti di bosco (a dessert with an almond filling and berries) will run you $8.50, though pastries like cinnamon rolls are only $3.75.

Desserts are served with care on branded plates and wooden platters. This frangipane ai frutti di bosco (a dessert with an almond filling and berries) will run you $8.50, though pastries like cinnamon rolls are only $3.75.
Advertisement

Princi’s cocktail bar, Bar Mixato, seems like a lovely spot for happy hour — or “aperitivo” — with small snacks included in the price of your drink.

Princi’s cocktail bar, Bar Mixato, seems like a lovely spot for happy hour — or “aperitivo” — with small snacks included in the price of your drink.

Bread is made fresh daily at a commissary kitchen in SoDo — their branded Princi loaf takes 48 hours to proof, according to the manager.

Bread is made fresh daily at a commissary kitchen in SoDo — their branded Princi loaf takes 48 hours to proof, according to the manager.
Advertisement

Their menu keeps it simple. Yes, you can still order coffee.

Their menu keeps it simple. Yes, you can still order coffee.

Small touches like stylish to-go bags make it feel more upscale.

Small touches like stylish to-go bags make it feel more upscale.
Advertisement

Wooden tabletops are decorated with fresh basil plants.

Wooden tabletops are decorated with fresh basil plants.

An outdoor seating area lined with rosemary plants is great for soaking up the last warm days of Seattle summer, though nearby construction makes it a bit noisy.

An outdoor seating area lined with rosemary plants is great for soaking up the last warm days of Seattle summer, though nearby construction makes it a bit noisy.
Advertisement

Overall, the restaurant feels like an entirely separate franchise from Starbucks, finding its footing by focusing on fresh, tasty food.

Overall, the restaurant feels like an entirely separate franchise from Starbucks, finding its footing by focusing on fresh, tasty food.
Next StoryThe salad supplier behind the parasitic illness outbreak that hit McDonald's and sickened 395 people still has no idea how it started