Starbucks Taiwan opens first community store

The store design takes inspiration from Hualian culture.

Starbucks Taiwan has opened its first community store in Xiulin Township, Hualien County in partnership with Uni-Wonder Corporation to provide more career opportunities for Taiwan’s indigenous communities.

The Starbucks Hualien Heping Community Store has been designed as a community-based third place that strengthens ties between residents in the neighbourhood, whilst fostering pride in the region’s diverse indigenous culture. A portion of the profits from this store will be donated to Hualien County Private Heping Sustainable Charity Foundation, an organization with deep roots in the area and community, to support a local emergency relief fund.

The store design draws on the rich indigenous culture in Hualian, including featured artworks created by indigenous artists Miru Hayung and Eleng Luluan. Miru Hayung, an artist from the Atayal Zihing community, used vibrant images to illustrate how coffee connects people and the environment. Eleng Luluan, a teacher from Drekay Kucapungane community, used local textiles and embroidery cloth to create an artistic landscape of plants and coffee trees.

Meanwhile, employees wearing the traditional green apron of Starbucks also have a one-of-a-kind totem embellishment, created by Truku traditional weaving master, Shi Ma Hsiu-Hua in collaboration with tribal women, that represents the pride of the Truku people

Starbucks’ Community Stores around the world are inclusive of several store models, from serving under-resourced communities to empowering farmers, youth and women, and creating impact in partnership with local nonprofit organizations.

Since 1998, Starbucks Taiwan has opened more than 540 stores.