The Seattle coffee chain has chosen a location for a store that could open this year.
By JAMES THORNER
Published April 4, 2004
LAND O'LAKES - Tapping a suburban market thirsty for its Seattle-style brew, Starbucks has grabbed a location for its first stand-alone coffee shop in central Pasco County.
A 1,500-square-foot Starbucks store and drive-through could open as early as this year in Collier Commons shopping center at State Road 54 and Collier Parkway.
It will be Pasco's second independent Starbucks (SuperTarget serves the company's coffee from a counter in its Wesley Chapel store). A shop recently opened in Mitchell Ranch Plaza at SR 54 and Little Road in Trinity.
According to construction plans filed with the county, the Land O'Lakes Starbucks will share a 5,500-square-foot building with Washington Mutual, the country's largest savings and loan.
Like Starbucks, Washington Mutual is based in Seattle and recently reworked its image to resemble its coffee-serving cousin.
Khaki-wearing greeters direct customers to appropriate service areas. Teller windows have disappeared, so customers can talk directly to bank employees. Children's play areas are plentiful.
The Land O'Lakes Starbucks, in keeping with its laid-back image, will offer outdoor seating and a rack to park bikes. But it will cater to the fill-me-up-quick folks with the drive-through.
Company officials wouldn't provide an exact opening date. "I believe the lease has yet to be signed," said Keith Schantz, the company's real estate manager for Florida.
Collier Commons opened last year with a Publix supermarket, Blockbuster video and Walgreens pharmacy.
Next year, in a 66,000-square-foot building behind Starbucks, a Belk department store is scheduled to open.
As a corporation, Starbucks has been on a tear. More than 1,000 new stores open every year.
The first opened in the Tampa Bay area in 1998, and more than 30 span the region's gourmet coffee market.
