Darlington celebrated the grand opening of its newest Starbucks Drive-Thru today, marked by a joyful ribbon cutting ceremony led by enthusiastic staff members.
Located at Faverdale, the opening of this new Starbucks spot has been highly anticipated by both customers and staff alike, following a two-year journey to bring it to fruition.
Approved as part of a new development in 2020, which also includes an open Lidl and Home Bargains, the American coffee giant’s presence has been eagerly awaited by the community.
Over the past few months, images of the building, complete with a drive-thru, have circulated with signs indicating its imminent opening.
This Starbucks outpost, operated by franchise owners 23.5 degrees, marks the first Starbucks presence in Darlington since the closure of the Northgate location in September 2017, resulting in the loss of 15 jobs due to a “difficult decision” by management.
The newly appointed store manager, 25-year-old Peter Atkinson, who joined Starbucks in February, expressed his excitement about the opening and the positive reception from customers.
Reflecting on the journey to the opening day, Peter mentioned, “Originally planned for a March opening, we’ve finally reached June! The anticipation has been palpable, and we’re thrilled to be up and running.”
“The community response has been fantastic,” Peter added, noting that even during the stock setup phase, customers were eagerly inquiring about the opening day.
“We’re here for the long haul, and the support from the community has been overwhelming,” he concluded.
The ribbon cutting ceremony, attended by team members and representatives from the National Animal Sanctuaries Support League, officially marked the store’s opening, ushering in excited customers eager to experience the new Starbucks drive-thru.