The first Starbucks cafe in the southern part of Katowice will be open in Galeria Libero, which is being developed by Echo Investment. The cafe with the area of 110 sq. meters is to be opened on the ground floor near the main entrance which opens to a square including a recreational and sports offer.
„The opening of the new cafe in Katowice is a response to our guests’ expectations. In accordance with the development plan we want to build brand awareness in places where our guests like to spend their time while shopping or meeting their friends. Galeria Libero provides such opportunities. We believe that our fourth cafe in Katowice will be welcomed by Starbucks fans and it will become another favourite meeting place” – says Patryk Kozakiewicz, operations director at Starbucks Polska.
„Libero is not just about the retail offer but it is first of all a place for the people who like to spend their time in an interesting and creative way and like to share their passions. That is why we create the area of the facility consciously, providing its future users with a broad range of retail, sports, recreational and gastronomy outlets. We are currently finalizing negotiations with a few popular chains which want to open their outlets in Libero. Arkadiusz Milik will also open a unique concept offering health food for sports people. The Starbucks cafe on the ground floor, right next to the elegant entrance to Libero, will be an excellent place to start a good day” – says Marcin Szlufik, senior leasing manager in Echo Investment’s Shopping Center Department.
Starbucks was founded in 1971 in Seattle and it currently has approximately 25 000 cafes in 72 countries. Its first outlet in Poland was opened in April 2009 in Warsaw. Nowadays there are over 50 of them. Its customers can choose from a broad range of espresso-based coffees such as caffè latte, caffè mocha and cappuccino as well as special seasonal offers prepared by baristas.
The construction of Galeria Libero started in the summer last year and takes place according to schedule. The completion of the shell stage is planned for August 2017. Regardless of the construction process, advanced commercialization is in progress. More than 50 pct of the retail area has already been leased.
Libero is being developed on Kościuszki St. Its opening is planned for the spring of 2018.