The world’s biggest Starbucks, seen here is set to open in Phoenix, Arizona. (AP Photo / Dennis System)
PHOENIX, A.Z. (AP) — The world’s biggest Starbucks will be opening in downtown Phoenix, Arizona this November. The new Starbucks will also be the largest coffee shop in the world, seating up to 2,155 patrons, vastly surpassing the Al Masaa Café in Saudi Arabia which can seat up to 1,050 customers at one time.
“This new Starbucks will be the best place to be on the planet!” Paul Horner, a spokesman for Starbucks told ABC News. “It’s gonna have it all! Rides, games, robot baristas and every type of coffee imaginable. This will not be your average coffee shop to get a cup of joe, this will be a life changing experience. If you’re not here, you’re not anywhere.”
The three story, 51,000 square foot building, appropriately dubbed “Magnum” (Magnum means ‘big’ in Latin), will be host to numerous games, rides and more coffee than humanly imaginable.
On the Starbucks information page for Magnum, the company says the establishment will include the following:
Robot baristas
Shooting gallery
Roller coaster
Above and below-ground water slide
560 different flavors of coffee
Restaurant
Starbucks coffee & dining section for children
Pendulum ride
Ping pong
Coffee bean bounce house
Train ride
Carousel
TV entertainment & media center room
Bumper boats
Roller rink
Log flume
Bumper cars
Slot machines
Blackjack tables
Regular arcade & penny arcade
Coffee bean roulette
Dolphin tank & exhibit
Lazy river
Ball pit
Chairlift
Dance hall/disco & techno room
VIP & valet parking
Indoor skatepark
Batting cages
Indoor basketball court
Men’s & women’s fitness center
Caffeine sauna
Stand-up comedy room
Ferris wheel
Chill zone
Gravitron
Movie theater
Arts & crafts room
Tapioca pudding fountain
Gyro tower
Break dance room
Concert hall
Haunted house
Disco/dance room
Pirate ship ride
Petting zoo
Free Wifi
“I’m so happy that more commercialized coffee franchises like Starbucks are moving into the area. Spots like Jobot, Lola and Songbird are just frequented by too many free-thinkers,” says 39-year-old local Phoenix resident Phil Freedom. “I’m also relieved that the Children’s Hospital that was planned for this location is now permanently put on hold; what an eyesore that would have been.”
“Biggest Starbucks ever headed to Phoenix,” the company said in a tweet today. Also released today in a video on the company website from Starbuck’s president Tom Downey claiming, “Magnum Starbucks will be the Willy Wonka of coffee.”
Sarah Bradley, a spokeswoman for Sock It Forward, a local charity that provides the Valley’s homeless and those less fortunate with brand new socks, spoke with CNN about the new Starbucks.
“We need more homeless shelters and places to help those in need, not more corporate establishments. So much artwork and beauty is being lost to these monstrosities it’s ridiculous. We need to support local businesses and keep these corporate giants out.” Bradley continued, “Also, thank you to everyone that has supported our cause in giving new socks to the homeless, it means so much. Please, give what you can.”
A Grand Opening is planned for Magnum with the folks from Guinness World Records in attendance should any coffee related records be broken. EMT’s and defibrillators will be on hand in case any caffeine related emergencies occur. Prizes include a trip to the Bahamas and a brand new 2016 Honda Civic. Planned events for possible world records include:
- Fastest drinking of coffee
- Longest time balancing a cup of coffee on top of various objects
- Most coffee snorted
- Most coffee beans eaten
- Staying up contest without seeing shadow people
- Most coffee enemas
The new Starbucks will be located at the corner of 7th Avenue and Roosevelt in the trendy downtown art’s district of Phoenix. Magnum‘s Grand Opening is scheduled for November 5th, celebrating Paul Horner’s 38th birthday. Celebrities making an appearance at the Grand Opening are Bill Murray, Quentin Tarantino, Katy Perry and Jennifer Lawrence. A Starbucks pre-Grand Opening party is planned for this Thursday (9/15/16) at 9PM at The Lost Leaf for The Mystery Show in downtown Phoenix. Bill Murray will be making an appearance.
This story was reported to ABC News by various sources.