Photo by: Bloomberg
US coffee company Starbucks will open its first two stores in Rosebank and the Mall of Africa, in Midrand, next month.
“Taste [Holdings] has chosen two fantastic store locations to bring the first Starbucks to South Africa and we are so excited to get started,” Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa president Kris Engskov said in a statement on Thursday.
The 485 m² Starbucks Rosebank store would be located at the corner of Cradock and Tyrwhitt avenues, while the 289 m² Mall of Africa store, would be located on the centre’s upper level.
Taste Holdings CEO Carlo Gonzaga said it had received an unprecedented response from landlords and property owners when the company was looking for sites to open the stores.
“We selected Rosebank for its multicultural and community feel, which is populated with al fresco establishments. Situated between the Gautrain station and the Rosebank taxi rank, it will provide the ultimate connection point for bringing people together.
“The Mall of Africa is already highly anticipated and will ensure Starbucks is accessible to all of Gauteng’s coffee enthusiasts.”
In addition to developing and using local suppliers and contractors, partners for new stores have been recruited from Taste’s Changing Lanes programme, which recruited partners from communities around the stores and provided employment opportunities for unemployed youth.
The new stores would create more than 40 such career opportunities.
“Wherever possible, we will employ from Taste Holdings’ Changing Lanes programme, which is currently a key training and development programme for Taste Holdings’ other branded food restaurants. We would like to continue providing great employment opportunities to local young people, and are committed to the social impact it creates.” Gonzaga added.