Starbucks Collectibles History and Trivia
Cool things to know about Starbucks Coffee Collectibles! The mugs, cups, thermos, tumbler, card, syrup, bears doll, travel mugs are all becoming highly sought after! Learn what barista means, where the Starbucks name came from, and the different Mermaid logos used over the years.
Starbucks Coffee History & Facts (short version!)
- First Starbucks was opened in Seattle in 1971 across form Pike Place Market.
- Started by three partners Jerry Baldwin and Zev Siegel, and Gordon Bowker.
- Howard Schultz joined the company in 1982, left in 1985 to start his own Cafes.
- 1984 - First Latte served. Christmas blend created.
- Schultz then bought Starbucks in 1987.
- First location after Seattle was Vancouver, British Columbia.
- First location outside of North America was opened in Tokyo, Japan, in 1996.
- Became public company in 1992. Trades on NASDAQ under SBUX.
- In all 50 States including D.C. and Puerto Rico.
- 4,666 Company operated coffeehouses.
- 2,222 licensed locations.
- 34 countries outside the USA.
- 1993 began Barnes and Nobles relationship.
- 1995 begins serving Frappuccino blended beverages.
- 1999 acquires Tazo Tea Company and Hear Music.
- 2003 acquires Seattle's Best Coffee Company.
- April 2003 Starbucks added 150 new outlets in one day!
Starbucks Coffee Logo
A few good definitions to know before we begin this journey:
Siren: From Greek Mythology this is one of a group of sea nymphs who by their sweet singing lured mariners to destruction on the rocks surrounding their island. (Gasp!)
Mélusine: In French legend, a fairy who changed into a serpent from the waist down every Saturday. (Another gasp!)
Mermaid: A legendary sea creature having the head and upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish.
The logo you see today is a transformation of the original one. Now many would call it either a siren, melusine, or a mermaid, but our best bet would be to ask former partners Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegel, or Gordon Bowker. Since Jerry was an English teacher, Zev a History teacher, and Gordon a writer, along with the Starbucks name connection with Moby Dick, one would think there is a definite answer. Then again, that siren thought is pretty scary! Maybe it is best we do not know!
Anyways, the first version she had naked breasts. In the second, streamlined version, they were covered by hair, but the navel was still visible. In the current version, the navel is not visible.
Starbucks Coffee Company Name: Starbucks is named after the first mate in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. (Was that in Cliff Notes?)
Barista: Someone who has been professionally trained in the art of espresso preparation.