Starbucks Kaka’ako has been open for business for a few weeks now but is celebrating its official grand opening today, in fact right now! If you visit between 12pm and 1pm, you’ll receive a free tall beverage.

While you’re there, you can check out this store’s unique decor. Every Starbucks has common design elements, but you do see differences from store to store. At this Coral Street location, you’ll see a mix of industrial and natural designs. The floor is concrete with divits and discolorations but features many in-ground electrical outlets, especially alongside the window seating.

There are a number of window-side stools and higher bar stools and tables for patrons. There’s a single elongated table in the middle and a few comfortable chairs near the front entrance. It seems Starbucks doesn’t want you getting too comfy and camping out for long durations (that’d be you UH medical students 🙂 ).

The best accent of this location is the wood bar facade and countertop. There’s a wood “brick” appearance topped off with a dark wooden counter. This adds organic naturalness that contrasts the hard concrete.

Oh, don’t mind the napkins. I guess they ran out of the Starbucks logo-ed ones and had to settle for generic. Opening day issues I guess.

While no Starbucks in Hawaii is a Clover location, I could see this spot featuring the Clover one day. And it just struck me that like the tall exterior of this location, there are lots of tall, skinny elements inside the store. The tables and stools emphasizes a more vertical space if that makes sense.

One last note – don’t forget that the Holiday drinks are now available – Peppermint Mocha Frap, Gingerbread Latte, and the Caramel Brulee Latte.