A drive-through Starbucks is expected to open its doors at the MovieTowne Mall at Turkeyen in late November while plans are being finalised for the launch of the Brazilian steakhouse restaurant, Texas de Brazil, MovieTowne Chairman Derek Chin disclosed yesterday.
“It is currently under construction… hopefully it will be opened in November,” Chin told Stabroek News yesterday when contacted.
Located between the Massy Supermarket and the MovieTowne Mall, a steel and concrete structure was under construction when this newspaper visited yesterday.
In December of last year, Trinidad and Tobago conglomerate Agostini Limited’s Country Manager, Blaine Chee-Ping, whose company owns the franchise for the famed American coffee brand, had told this newspaper that the company plans to add to its over $3 billion in investments from two companies established here, as it looks to also bring a number of the companies and international franchises it already holds in its home country. He had informed that seven Starbucks stores are among T&T’s Agostini Ltd’s ‘big plans’ for Guyana.
In late April of this year, the first Starbucks opened its doors in Guyana at the Amazonia Mall, Providence, East Bank Demerara.
Then, the company had said that the Starbucks Amazonia branch was expected to provide employment for more than 50 persons and will bring increased economic activity to the area.
Tagman Media’s, Alex Graham, who was responsible for the public relations of the company had said, “The transforming of Georgetown and this East Bank corridor has been underway for most of the last decade and there is still a lot of development to come from this corridor. A Starbucks Cafe is a long overdue welcome addition to what features a healthy mix of local, regional and international brands.”
Amazonia Mall Marketing Manager, Cindy Ramnarine, had told attendees at the launch, “We first heard Starbucks was entering the Guyana market in 2022 and this immediately created quite a storm and instantly became a trend across social media. The Amazonia Mall welcomes this opportunity. With employment of over five hundred individuals, our facility is known for its safety, convenience and known for the best in family entertainment.”
Starbucks has a presence in eighty-five markets across the globe, and said it is “excited to be here partnering with Prestige.” Starbucks also plans to establish a new service, a drive-through, which it says is a new concept for them. Patrons can also access pre-order service through a mobile app, then just walk up and request their order.
Meanwhile, Chin noted that preparations are underway for the launching of the Texas de Brazil restaurant at his mall. The restaurant is already at the MovieTowne in Trinidad and the one here will mirror the unique dining style and experience.
This newspaper had reported in June of the Brazilian churascaria’s plans to set up here. It is a Brazilian steakhouse that has locations in Trinidad & Tobago and 22 states in the United States (including Texas, New York, and Florida). The mixed restaurant can also be found in the United Arab Emirates and Puerto Rico. It offers a wide variety of grilled meats, salads (from a 50-item salad bar), soups, desserts and beverages.
The restaurant was birthed in Brazil and later moved up north to Texas where the culture, cooking, and eating habits are similar. The family-owned restaurant soon spread across the United States and will soon take up residence in Guyana.
