Photos by Samantha Bengtson
Greenfield Starbucks was an idea 10 years in the making and officially kicks off the city’s new shopping center, The Vines at Greenfield. Below, Starbucks employees and Councilmember Leah Santibanez (center) hold the ribbon as Mayor Pro-Tem Avelina Torres cuts it to welcome Starbucks into the community Sept. 20.
GREENFIELD — Greenfield welcomed Starbucks and its one-of-a-kind building layout into the city’s business community last Thursday.
Starbucks, located at 367 Walnut Ave., opened up at 8 a.m. on Sept. 20 and started serving coffee, teas, pastries and more to its customers. Due to some computer malfunctions, drinks and refreshments were free that morning. The afternoon, however, saw the drive-through lane packed, as it was the only open service for residents to get their caffeine fix.
Greenfield Mayor Pro-Tem Avelina Torres and Councilmembers Leah Santibanez and Yanely Martinez were on hand for a ribbon cutting with District Manager Stacey Eurich.
“We’re really happy to welcome new customers and be part of the community,” Eurich said. “We’re looking forward to seeing everybody’s smiling, shining faces. This has been 10 years in the making.”
Eurich has been with Starbucks for 20 years, and customers asking about a Greenfield store location has been a topic for half of those years.
Santibanez praised the Greenfield store as the best looking one in the county.
The new Starbucks was extremely busy opening day as residents were excited for the coffee shop to finally open and serve customers. Among those eager community members were Valerie Herrera, Irene Garcia and Beatriz Diaz.
“I am very thrilled that we now have a Starbucks in town,” Herrera said. “It’s somewhat of an inconvenience to go to Soledad or King City. I’m going to have to get up a little bit earlier ever day so I’m not late to work for my daily Starbucks run.”
Garcia felt that it was about time there was a Starbucks in Greenfield and echoed what Eurich said about the store being 10 years in the making.
She said she could not wait for the doors to open so she could get her lattes.
“We’ll make the profits right here in Greenfield,” Diaz said. “I am very happy being here since 1965, and we finally get something good here.”
Diaz was also excited about the job opportunities that Starbucks brings for Greenfield youth.
