Starbucks opens first signing store in Indonesia

Starbucks has opened its first signing store in Indonesia and its 17th in the world at Central Jakarta through licensee partner Sari Coffee.

Dubbed the Starbucks Tata Puri Community Store, the establishment is manned by staff from the local deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

According to Anastasia Dwiyani, senior GM of human capital at Sari Coffee Indonesia, the baristas who have been selected from 150 applicants from across the country are a diverse group, including fashion models and an ex-swimming para-athlete.

Customers can place orders using a writing tablet if they are unable to use sign language.

A distinctive siren logo with Bisindo sign language is displayed on the storefront. Upon entering the store, customers are met with a mural wall and a display of exclusive merchandise. The enormous mural painted by deaf artist Indira Natalia stands out in the store's design.

The opening of the first Starbucks location in Indonesia coincides with the company's 20th anniversary in the nation, where it now has 44 locations.