Starbucks Opens Its First Signing Store In Borneo
It is the third Signing Store in Malaysia.
By Tamara Jayne — 22 Aug 2023, 11:19 AM
Starbucks has recently announced the opening of its first Signing Store in Borneo, located at Vivacity Megamall, Kuching
This launch marks the third Signing Store in Malaysia, following its first two outlets in Bangsar Village II, Kuala Lumpur, and Burma Road, Penang.
Similar to the previous two outlets, Starbucks aims to uplift the local community by fostering inclusivity and celebrating the vibrant culture of the deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
The new store has seen an overwhelming and positive response from its customers since its soft launch on 27 July.
When you order a drink, you'll notice baristas won't call out beverage orders, but will instead use sign language
Moreover, every detail of the Signing Store, from the thoughtfully designed touchpoints catering to the deaf and hard of hearing, to the spacious café area ideal for community workshops, reflects the store's commitment to creating an inclusive and enriching environment.
Starbucks opened its second Signing Store in Malaysia in 2019, located in Penang.
Image via Joshua Trujillo/StarbucksIn line with its goals, Starbucks also endorses local artists, including those with disabilities, and collaborates with deaf artists to create exclusive commissioned artwork featured in Signing Stores, as well as core Starbucks stores.
Within the third Signing Store, you'll find a captivating mural created by deaf artist Madang Ding Anyi, from the Orang Ulu community in Sarawak. The mural celebrates the essence of coffee growing in the Asia Pacific region while depicting the vibrant flora of Borneo.
"Through this store, we aim to create a welcoming environment that not only offers exceptional coffee, but also fosters a sense of belonging and equal opportunity," said Dato' Sydney Quays, chief executive officer of Berjaya Food Berhad and managing director of Starbucks Malaysia and Brunei.
Starbucks introduced its first Signing Store concept globally back in 2016 and it is located in Bangsar Village II.
Since then, Starbucks has opened 20 Signing Stores in China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and the US.
Here's a short video introducing the employees of the Kuching store, affectionately referred to as partners:
