Determining whether a coffee shop is a Starbucks is rather easy. There’s the green accent color, the long line, and the fact that, you know, it says “Starbucks” on the front of the building. Well that’s not the case with the company’s latest venture. Housed inside a 100-year-old townhouse that was formerly inhabited by geishas, this Starbucks is devoid of all the classic Starbucks trimmings. Inside you’ll find three matted rooms, where guests must remove their shoes and follow customs, along with gardens and bamboo walls. They even did away with the lines, as they are forbidden to extend outside the shop out of respect to the town. If you want to drink your Unicorn Frappucino in peace, this is where to do it.
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Huckberry’s Essential Holiday Gift Guide
Unzip your coat and have some mulled wine on the house—you’ve arrived at your final gifting destination: The Holiday Gift Guide. It’s like your friendly neighborhood one-stop holiday shop, except instead of balsa wood ornaments, ours is packed with thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list. Future heirlooms, small-but-significant stocking stuffers, and gear for getting out there (or staying in)—are all right here. There’s no music playing in the background though, so you’ll just have to hum Bing Crosby while you click around instead.
