6. Originally Starbucks Didn't Actually Sell Ready-To-Drink Coffee... But Whole Roasted Beans And Barista Equipment Instead
When the first-ever Starbucks store opened in Seattle, Washington, in March 1971 it didn't actually sell any ready-to-drink coffee - but the beans instead. Readily-roasted coffee beans, barista equipment and other coffee essentials could be purchased - yet the only drinking liquid available were the free samples given to potential customers in order to show them how delicious brewing their own blend could be. Howard Schultz was recruited as director of retail operations and he believed the company should start selling its own brewed coffee, but this was rejected initially and that's why he set up his own company. He returned, however, in the late-1980s and then Starbucks did start selling their now world-famous coffee beverages.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
