Atlanta fans of coffee giant Starbucks will soon get an opportunity offered to few in the nation: to unwind with something a little harder than a Cinnamon Dolce Latte or Caramel Macchiato in metro area Starbucks stores.
The company said Monday it plans to begin serving beer and wine at four to six metro Atlanta locations later this year. The specific stores and when the products would be available have not been released.
The broadened menu, which also will include small plate dinners, is the Seattle-based retailer's response to customers who have said they want the chain to offer more food and beverage choices in the evenings. The selected wines and beers will reflect customer tastes and preferences in each locality and will be refined over time, the company said.
“As our customers transition from work to home, many are looking for a warm and inviting place to unwind and connect with the people they care about,” Clarice Turner, senior vice president of operations in the United States, said in the announcement.
The expanded offerings began in 2010 in Seattle and have grown to five stores in the Washington city and one in Portland. The plans for 2012 are currently limited to Atlanta, Chicago and Southern California, the company said.
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