"Starbucks Coffee Aomori Lavina" (Yanagawa, Aomori City, TEL 017-721-5066 ) is currently introducing local traditional crafts.

Starbucks opened its first store in North Tohoku in July 2002 (Heisei 14). To mark the 20th anniversary this year, the "Northern Tohoku Reconnection Project" is being carried out at 27 North Tohoku stores, such as displaying local handicrafts and decorating community boards, in order to make people love their hometown even more in commemoration.

The handicrafts on display are "Takaramono", and the store displays 5 types of "Kokeshi" and "Goldfish Neputa". "Takaramono" is scheduled to be replaced during the period, and "Tsugaru Vidro" will be exhibited from August.

The Aomori Lavina store opened in 2013 as the first store in Aomori City. Opened as the third store in Aomori Prefecture, this year marks the 10th anniversary. Chiaki Mikami, the current fourth-generation store manager, worked part-time when the store first opened, but now works as an employee.

“Ten years seemed like a long time, but they were short. I am grateful that I was able to walk through the process in which Starbucks coffee took root in Aomori in ten years,” says Mikami. "We don't sell crafts, but I was happy when people who saw them reported that they bought them at a nearby souvenir shop," he said.

Business hours are from 8:00 to 21:00. The exhibition is on until September 30th.