Biggest Ever Starbucks Opens at O'Hare (the airport)

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Recently the Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino joined HMSHost Senior VP Steve Johnson and Starbucks VP Mark Cromett (who flew in for the occasion) to celebrate the opening of the newest Starbucks Coffee store at O'Hare. This store is the largest ever Starbucks in any of the surrounding airports, offering seating for more than 40, and was designed with sustainable materials in an artisan concept.

The store's walls feature warm-colored murals displayed in the community area, telling the story of the coffee harvest and how Starbucks Coffee is processed, and the human connection that is involved in that process. Local maps of the Chicago rail systems are on display as well and share the connectivity between neighborhood and the historical reference to past industrial districts.

"This new Starbucks Coffee is the flagship design for our future Starbucks airport stores. It demonstrates that innovative design, sustainable practices - and a great cup of coffee - can go hand-in-hand," said Steve Johnson, Senior Vice President of Business Development for HMSHost. "In addition, all of HMSHost's O'Hare Starbucks Coffee locations contribute their used coffee grounds to the airport's composting program, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Aviation."

Starbucks' commitment to the environment is demonstrated in the new store's use of environmentally responsible materials, as well as equipment, including energy-efficient LED lighting and low-flow plumbing fixtures. The design makes use of simple yet beautiful elements such as hot-rolled steel and metal work details such as fasteners, bolts and trims that are left exposed. The new design also includes a communal seating table and a central bar-a configuration that allows for the coffee theater to become center stage in an interactive experience between customer and barista.
· Starbucks [Official Site]
· Chicago Department of Aviation [Official Site]