Starbucks to Open its First U.S. Signing Store in DC

Starbucks will be opening its first U.S. Signing Store in Washington, D.C. in early October. The store for the deaf community will be located at a deaf-friendly area at 6th & H Street near the Gallaudet University.

The initiative for opening the unique store was taken by a team of Deaf Starbucks partners and allies. The store will also provide employment and career opportunities for 20-25 people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) is the only requirement for the job. 

Howard A. Rosenblum, the CEO of the National Association of the Deaf, has appreciated Starbucks for opening the store and providing employment to people who are deaf and hard of hearing. “Starbucks has taken an innovative approach to incorporating Deaf Culture that will increase employment opportunities as well as accessibility for Deaf and hard of hearing people, while at the same time educating and enlightening society,” said Rosenblum.

Starbucks executive vice president of U.S. Retail, Rossann Williams, said that it’s a “historic moment” in their journey to connect with the deaf and hard of hearing community. “This store is truly from partners, for partners, and we couldn’t have gotten here without the team of Deaf partners and allies from our Accessibility office and the Access Alliance partner network who came together to bring this vision to life. I look forward to the team welcoming the community to this store in October,” said Williams.

In 2016, Starbucks opened its first such Signing Store for the deaf and hard of hearing community in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Last year, Starbucks partners in the U.S. visited Malaysia to understand how the store works in order to open a similar one.

The new D.C. store will showcase artworks and custom mugs designed by deaf artists, and also make other adjustments to further enrich the customer experience of the deaf and hard of hearing community.