STARBUCKS COFFEE OPENS HAMDEN STORE Hamden, CT; November 23, 2004 – Starbucks Coffee Company is proud to announce the opening of its Hamden store.  Located at 2100 Dixwell Ave., the store opens its doors to the public on October 28, 2004.

Mayor Carl Amento and Executive Director Nancy Dudchik from the Hamden Chamber of Commerce attended the grand opening along with Chamber members and Town Officials.

Starbucks store manager Thomas Bohan will lead the team of Starbucks partners (employees) at the Hamden location. Born and raised in New Haven, Thomas has been a Starbucks partner for over four years. Thomas attended Temple University in Philadelphia, after which he received his broadcasting certification from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. He began his career in management at Barnes & Noble where he worked as a department manager, before joining Starbucks. Thomas is a seasoned Starbucks professional, and is excited to lead his team in quickly becoming a part of the fabric of the Hamden community. Like many Starbucks partners, Thomas often donates his time to events within the community. He, along with other member of his Starbucks team, just recently participated in the largely successful Juvenile Diabetes Walk in North Haven. 

This passion for his community also translates directly into his store’s daily environment. Laughing, Thomas described a recent scene in his store. “One day, it was an unusually busy morning, and there was a never-ending line all the way out the door. We just had fun with it, trying to keep the customers minds off the hecticness. That day, like most days, the baristas came to work with their A-game – that is Starbucks to me.” It is this commitment to excellence that defines partners like Thomas, and contributes largely to the Starbucks promise to provide every customer with an unforgettable experience.

Starbucks stores across the country support local community groups and charities through sponsorships and donations. Starbucks believes that support of community-based organizations and charities will enhance each store’s individual personality and atmosphere, as a local neighborhood café. Each store donates leftover pastries and coffee to a local organization. Thomas’ store will donate their leftovers to St. Ann's Soup Kitchen, which is just down the street from the store.

Starbucks Corporation is the leading retailer, roaster and brand of specialty coffee in the world, with more than 7,500 retail locations in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim. The Company is committed to offering the highest quality coffee and the Starbucks Experience while conducting its business in ways that produce social, environmental and economic benefits for communities in which it does business. In addition to its retail operations, the Company produces and sells bottled Frappuccino® coffee drinks, Starbucks DoubleShot™ coffee drink, and a line of superpremium ice creams through its

joint venture partnerships. The Company’s brand portfolio provides a wide variety of consumer products. Tazo Tea’s line of innovative premium teas and Hear Music’s exceptional compact discs enhance the Starbucks Experience through best-of-class products.