Update May 29: The store will open to the public on June 1.
A Japanese coffee seller and popular Instagram setting last night teased the look of the flagship store it will open in Bangkok, stirring a wave of excitement among coffee lovers.
After announcing it was coming to Thailand two years ago, Arabica, styled “% Arabica,” last night dropped a sneak preview of its Iconsiam store for fans to look forward to when going to malls is a thing they can do again.
“YES!!!!!!!! Love your coffee!!” Facebooker Marisa Engel wrote before posing a question only % Arabica fans would understand. “Will the bathroom be the same as the one in HK!?!?! #Amazing.”
The single image was shared more than 1,100 times and received hundreds of comments within 18 hours.
The uproar wasn’t that surprising as its stores, especially those in Japan, have become destinations for many tourists who pose for photos and shop for slick merch, which is also sold online.
No opening date was given, but the post said “we are preparing the flagship store for you little by little.”
%Arabica currently has 56 outlets in 13 countries including in Singapore, Manila and Shanghai.
The brand is the brainchild of Tokyo-born Kenneth Shoji, who was inspired by Starbucks and his experiences working overseas to open a coffee farm in Hawaii, providing as one of the sources for its coffee beans. Alongside latte art world champion Junichi Yamaguchi, he opened the first store in 2014 in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district.
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