What You Didn't Know About The Stealthy Starbucks
Boasting approximately 33,000 stores across the world with plans to reach 55,000 by the end of the decade, according to Bloomberg, Starbucks has established itself as the world's biggest coffee chain in just 50 years existence and, as a result, attracts a multitude of customers with various backgrounds and taste preferences. It may come as a surprise, however, that the busiest Starbucks is not located on a heavily-frequented street corner in a bustling city, but instead nestled within the quiet, and secretive headquarters of the United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Langley, Virginia (via The Washington Post).
Known as "Stealthy Starbucks" or "Store Number 1," this location may look a lot like its non-secretive counterparts, but with customers whose jobs it is to remain undercover while working to preserve national security, this undercover location has no choice but to operate in unique ways unseen anywhere else. Here's what is known about this Starbucks location and its clientele.
The customers, atmosphere, and favorite drinks at Stealthy Starbucks
There are a few things that are wildly different at this Starbucks location, which you may not see at first glance. Because of their covert identities, the organizational method of writing names on cups to identify customers' orders — as is customary at most Starbucks locations — simply cannot be used at the CIA Starbucks, according to The Washington Post. The paper also states that, for cyber-security reasons, customers at Stealthy Starbucks cannot enroll or receive frequent-customer rewards cards, as the personally-identifying information required to sign up could possibly be extrapolated and circulated by the wrong people.
As far as aesthetics go, the Stealthy Starbucks location does not differ greatly from other non-secret Starbucks cafes. Stealthy Starbucks customers can often be found enjoying their caffeinated beverages or warm baked goods while practicing a foreign language or conducting internal interviews for agents. As for favorite orders from this secretive squad of consumers? It depends on the time of day, according to The Washington Post. Vanilla lattes and lemon pound cakes are the most sought-after treats by agents who frequent the building during the day. But drinks that are richer in caffeine and sugar, such as double espressos and creamy Frappuccinos, are most popular amongst agents working diligently into the evening. Talk about a unique group of customers!