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Starbucks, that inescapable coffee giant, is really getting gung-ho about opening up non-'bucks branded spots. First they started opening "stealth" Starbucks, which sell the companies wares but without all the signage, and now they're set to open their first teashop.
Initially they say they only plan on opening one Tazo tea store, in Seattle, but if you don't think they are going to try and expand the concept beyond that we've got a bridge to sell you.
Starbucks bought Tazo teas for $8.1 million in 1999 and now says the brand is worth about $1.4 billion for them (nice investment!). At some point this fall they plan to open the brand's first store in Washington, where they will sell "more than 80 varieties of loose-leaf tea and other tea products. It will also offer hot and cold tea drinks, brewing equipment, pastries, packaged chocolates, infused sugars and honey," according to a spokesperson.
Jeez, between selling booze, adding a juice store (also initially in Seattle), those stealth shops and their bottled and instant coffee lines, Starbucks really wants to be involved in every non-soda beverage you drink, eh?