Construction of Buckhead’s newest Starbucks location at 3370 Northside Parkway appears to be nearing completion. Anticipation has been high for this drive-through only location that we reported on back in February, and this week we stopped by to see how construction was coming along.
It would seem that this compact 816 square foot store will be opening its doors any day now as the building looks very nearly ready for business. The store’s modern facade is tucked neatly in a .38 acre parcel of land with a narrow driveway that loops around for the chain’s drive-through coffee service as well as the Bank of America ATM on the back side of the property. Only three parking spaces are included in the footprint, two regular and one handicap, likely meant exclusively for employees.
The storefront sits between Steak n’ Shake and Wells Fargo on the west side of Northside Drive, and will provide a much needed alternative for Starbucks customers who have until now only had the option to park in the usually crowded and busy lot at the corner of West Paces Ferry and Northside Parkway and go into the store there to order their morning java. Those familiar with the intersection can attest to the traffic and delays caused by morning commuters, and opening this new location on the opposite side of the street should ease coffee related congestion.
Touted as a drive-through only location, we find it interesting that the building’s construction includes a small covered patio with a few metal tables and what would appear to be a walk-up service window facing the street. While it’s possible that this is merely intended for use by the employees, we wonder if there’s a chance that this means there will be an option to order for those on foot as well.
While there is not currently any projected open date and Starbucks has declined to provide a time estimate, we have begun to see job listings pop up online for positions at the new location, so we are keeping our fingers crossed that this eagerly awaited store will be opening soon.
