Starbucks Renovations Complete

In a little less than two weeks, the Chestnut Hill managed to transform itself from a standard, corporate coffeehouse to something with more of a community feel.

After undergoing renovations for about nine days, six of which were marked by temporary, mid-day closures, the chain coffee shop finally reopened on a full-time basis, displaying new additions like fresh paint, new tables, and, perhaps most aesthetically pleasing, community bulletin boards. The latter includes a spot for local artists to hang their works. Carved into the wood, (all recycled, of course), is the phrase "Chestnut Hill Artist." The idea, according to store manager Kathryn Henkenius, is to give the coffee shop an inviting feel.

It seems the changes were already having an affect on Wednesday.

"It's pretty swanky in here," one customer commented. "The swankiest Starbucks I've ever been in."

Henkenius agreed.

"It's definitely an enormous change," she said.  

According to Henkenius, the Chestnut Hill Starbucks was the first such store to hit Philadelphia. It's probably been in existence now for about 15 years, she guessed. The second location to open in the city was 16th and Walnut streets in Center City, she said.

This is the second such renovation in the Chestnut Hill store's history, Henkenius said. Other additions include the new countertops, (one customer commented on their sleek look; and yes, they're wood, not plastic, Henkenius told him), and new tile walls behind the coffee-making area.

The tables, all round two-tops, offer a European, café-like feel. One customer on Wednesday said the changes give the place more of a studious atmosphere.

"This place even looks more like a study hall than it used to," the woman told Henkenius.

Starbucks started out as a single-store retailer in Seattle, Washington in 1971, according to information on the company's Web site. Today, the company boasts more than 15,000 stores in 50 countries worldwide.