If you walked into the very first Starbucks, you’d probably be pretty confused. You wouldn't find a Caramel Macchiato. There were no Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Honestly, you couldn't even buy a cup of brewed coffee to go.
The "Starbucks" we know today—the one on every street corner where people camp out with laptops—is actually a much younger concept than the company itself. So, how long has Starbucks coffee been around? Technically, the name and the first storefront have been part of the Seattle landscape since 1971. But the version of Starbucks that actually serves you a drink? That took a lot longer to show up.
The 1971 Origins: Not Your Modern Cafe
Starbucks officially opened its doors on March 30, 1971. It was tucked away in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, but it wasn't a "coffeehouse." It was a retail store. The three founders—Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker—were basically coffee nerds who wanted to bring high-quality roasted beans to a city that, at the time, was mostly drinking watery, canned swill.
They didn't even roast their own beans at first. They bought them from Alfred Peet (the founder of Peet’s Coffee) and sold them in bulk. Imagine a spice shop, but specifically for coffee and tea. That was the vibe.
Why the name "Starbucks"?
The founders almost called it "Cargo House." Then they almost called it "Starbo," after an old mining camp. Eventually, they landed on Starbucks, the name of the first mate in Moby-Dick. It sounded seafaring and rugged, which fit the rainy, maritime energy of Seattle. They even chose a twin-tailed mermaid (a siren) as the logo to lure people in.
For about a decade, this was the business model. Just beans. Just bags. No lattes.
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The Howard Schultz Era: The Big Shift
Things got weird in 1981. A guy named Howard Schultz, who worked for a Swedish kitchenware company, noticed that this tiny Seattle outfit was ordering a suspicious number of drip coffeemakers. He flew out to investigate and, as the story goes, fell in love with the first sip.
He joined the company in 1982. A year later, the company sent him to Milan, Italy, for a trade show. That trip changed everything.
Schultz saw these Italian espresso bars where the baristas knew everyone’s name. It was a "third place"—not home, not work, but a community hub. He came back to Seattle and tried to convince the founders to start serving drinks. They weren't into it. They thought Starbucks was a grocery-style business, not a restaurant.
To prove his point, Schultz convinced them to let him open a tiny espresso bar in the corner of a new store in 1984. It was a massive hit. Still, the founders didn't want to pivot.
Schultz eventually left, started his own coffeehouse called Il Giornale (using Starbucks beans, ironically), and then—in a wild turn of events—he bought the Starbucks brand and its 17 stores from the original founders in 1987 for $3.8 million.
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That 1987 merger is the "real" birth of the Starbucks we recognize.
Growth and the "Third Place" Concept
Once Schultz had control, the expansion was aggressive. Like, really aggressive.
By 1992, the company went public with 165 stores. People were suddenly willing to pay four bucks for a coffee, which seemed insane at the time. By the late 90s, they were opening a new store somewhere in the world almost every day.
- 1991: They started offering "Bean Stock" to employees, making them partners.
- 1995: The Frappuccino was born (originally a product from a company they acquired).
- 1996: First store outside North America opens in Tokyo.
It wasn't just about the caffeine. It was about the couches, the jazz music, and the fact that you could sit there for four hours and nobody would kick you out. That "lifestyle" branding is why they survived when so many other coffee shops failed.
Modern Day: AI and Protein Lattes
Starbucks is currently over 50 years old if you count from the 1971 founding. But the company is currently going through a bit of an identity crisis.
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As of 2025 and 2026, the focus has shifted from "sit-down cafe" to "high-speed tech hub." They’ve rolled out things like Green Dot Assist, a generative AI tool to help baristas manage orders, and automated inventory systems that use 3D spatial intelligence.
They are also leaning hard into health trends. Just recently, they launched Protein Lattes and cold foams made with protein-boosted milk. It’s a long way from the simple roasted beans of 1971.
Quick Timeline Reference
- 1971: First store opens in Seattle (beans only).
- 1982: Howard Schultz joins the team.
- 1984: The first Starbucks latte is served.
- 1987: Schultz buys the company and begins massive expansion.
- 1992: Starbucks goes public (SBUX).
- 2021: 50th Anniversary of the brand.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Starbucks "invented" gourmet coffee. They didn't. They actually learned everything from Alfred Peet. In fact, when the Starbucks founders bought Peet’s in 1984, they almost abandoned the Starbucks name entirely because Peet’s was more prestigious.
Another weird fact? The original logo was way more "revealing" than the one you see today. The siren was bare-breasted and much more detailed. As they went national, they had to "clean up" the image to avoid offending people in more conservative markets.
What’s Next for the Siren?
So, how long has Starbucks coffee been around? Over half a century. But if you're looking for that "third place" feeling, it might be harder to find. Most new stores are designed for mobile orders and drive-thrus. The company is pivoting to meet the "I need it now" culture of 2026.
If you want to experience the history yourself, your best bet is still the Pike Place Market location. It’s not actually the original original (that one was a block away and closed years ago), but it’s the oldest one left. It still uses the original brown logo and doesn't have the fancy digital screens you’ll find in the suburbs.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan of the history, check out the Starbucks Reserve Roasteries in cities like Seattle, Chicago, or Milan. These are designed to feel like the original 1983 Italian inspiration Schultz had—heavy on the craft, light on the "fast food" feel. Also, keep an eye on your Starbucks app for the new protein-based menu items if you're looking for more than just a sugar rush.