A global coffee chain has opened its first community store in Hong Kong, marking its 50th community store in the Asia-Pacific region. This new store is situated at the East Asia Mansion in Wan Chai and aims to provide meaningful opportunities for young people.
Starbucks Hong Kong is collaborating with the Vocational Training Council (VTC), a provider of professional and vocational education and training in Hong Kong, and Junior Achievement (JA) Hong Kong, a nonprofit organization that helps young people learn about the working world through first-hand volunteer experiences.
The Community Store will serve as a nurturing hub for students to explore potential careers, particularly in the food and beverage industry. Through interactive workshops and career exploration programs, funded by a grant from The Starbucks Foundation and a portion of the store’s sales, students will gain hands-on experience, job shadowing opportunities, and mentorship from various Starbucks partners (employees).
These workshops, led by seasoned experts from various business sectors, aim to inspire and prepare the next generation for employment in the food and beverage (F&B) industry. This initiative addresses a significant challenge in Hong Kong’s F&B sector, where over 95% of restaurants struggle to fill positions.
This project extends the collaboration between Starbucks Hong Kong and JA Hong Kong, which began in 2014. Supported by The Starbucks Foundation, this partnership has equipped over 350 students from 21 local schools with skills in design thinking, coding, and an entrepreneurial mindset since 2023.
Alan Chan, general manager of Starbucks Hong Kong and Macau, commented on the launch, stating, “Apart from offering the unique Starbucks Experience, it is also our aim to dedicate our efforts to making our beloved city a better place for the future generation. The collaboration with JA Hong Kong is a testament to our dedication, we hope to empower more youth through this new Community Store, helping them to build a fulfilling career in the food and beverage industry as well as developing the skills and mindsets needed for long-term success.”
