When you think of Starbucks, you probably think of your go-to cup of coffee in the morning, or an ice-cold frappe to perk you up in the afternoon. But what if I told you Starbucks is now brewing up something bigger than your daily caffeine fix?
Enter Singapore’s first-ever Starbucks Community Store, nestled in the serene Active Garden at Gardens by the Bay. This isn’t just a place to grab a pumpkin spice latte – this is a Starbucks with a mission: to support mental wellness in Singapore, one cup at a time.
I had the chance to attend the soft launch of this special store – and it was more than just an ordinary ribbon-cutting ceremony! With a special guest of honour in attendance and more than a few heartstring-tugging stories, it really was more than just the opening of a regular Starbucks.
More Than Just A Starbucks
From the moment you walk in, the store feels different. It’s not just the smell of freshly brewed coffee – it’s the art pieces on the walls and the floor-to-ceiling windows offering an unobstructed view of the beauty of Gardens by the Bay! It captures an open, welcoming vibe that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a space designed to be truly zen.
The garden isn’t just a pretty backdrop – it’s part of Starbucks’ partnership with Gift of Gardens, Gardens by the Bay’s community outreach initiative! Every third Friday of the month, the store hosts Wellness Fridays, where caregivers and seniors can find a much-needed break from their daily responsibilities.
At the soft launch of the Community Store, caregivers from beneficiary organisations were invited to participate in some workshops to give them some relief from their daily lives! These weren’t your run-of-the-mill workshops either! For one such workshop, Starbucks’ barista champions Shree and Rabia guided the attendees through a sensory coffee appreciation, teaching them to identify flavours like cinnamon, star anise, and lemon, and how to really feel the “body” of the coffee on their tongues.
Conversations on Mental Health
One moment that stuck out to me was a conversation I had with Tim Lee, CEO of Caregivers Alliance Limited, one of the organisations that had been invited to the event. Tim spoke about the stigma that still surrounds mental health, particularly for caregivers. Caregivers Alliance trains around 1,600 caregivers each year, offering them critical support as they care for loved ones with mental health issues.
However, as Tim pointed out, caregivers themselves often go unnoticed, with their mental well-being pushed to the side as they focus on everyone else. “It’s so important for caregivers to have opportunities like this,” Tim said, “to experience life outside of caregiving.”
That’s where events like Wellness Fridays come in. For caregivers like Cocoanna Cityruth Christian (or Coco, as she’s known), these moments of respite are invaluable. Speaking to her, I learned that she cares for both her husband, who has schizophrenia, and her father-in-law, who has dementia.
After attending Caregivers Alliance Limited’s Caregivers-to-Caregivers (C2C) training program, she became a volunteer trainer herself, helping others navigate the often overwhelming journey of caregiving. At the store opening, Coco shared how much she’s learned from these mental health initiatives—not just about caregiving but also about herself. “I’ve learned a lot about coffee, where it comes from, and how to appreciate life outside of caregiving,” she said with a smile.
It’s small but powerful moments like these that make the Starbucks Community Store more than just another café. It’s a space for people like Coco to take a break, connect with others, and feel supported in a way that goes beyond the usual grind.
Coffee with a Conscience
Now, no Starbucks launch would be complete without a deep dive into the coffee itself, and trust me, this store does not disappoint.
During the sensory appreciation session, we were treated to a tasting of black coffee from a variety of regions, but one of the highlights was the coffee from Sumatra! These beans are handpicked from small farms, ground by hand, sorted, and roasted with care, ensuring that every cup you sip is not only delicious but also ethically supports the farmers who grew it. Their beans are Careful Practices Certified, meaning they meet strict standards for environmental and social responsibility.
A First, Good Step for Singapore
To officially open the store, Minister of State Ms Sun Xueling, along with the other guests of honour, plunged a French press of coffee each. But I feel to the beneficiaries and caregivers, it meant something more – through partnerships with organisations like Caregivers Alliance and Gift of Gardens, Starbucks is helping to break down the stigma around mental health and caregivers, offering a space for people to connect, reflect, and take care of themselves!
So, the next time you’re at Gardens by the Bay, drop by Singapore’s first Starbucks Community Store! Grab your favourite coffee, happy with the knowledge that knowing 20 cents of it is going to a good cause, take a moment to appreciate the art, the garden, and the people around you, and maybe – just maybe – you’ll leave feeling a little more positive than when you came in – hopefully not because of the caffeine.
If you’re looking for more information, you can head to the Starbucks website, and for the latest in Starbucks-related happenings in Singapore, there’s always their Instagram!
Starbucks Community Store @ Active Garden
📍Location: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, #01-01 Active Garden, Waterfront Plaza, Singapore 018953
⏰ Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8am to 10pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 7.30am to 10pm
Photos by Izzah Ilyana of the DANAMIC Team.