We got an early peek at the Reserve Roastery on Wednesday morning. It's located in the Meatpacking District.
There were products for sale from a few different collections, including Starbucks' New York collection and its holiday collection.
Also on the first floor was the main coffee bar. Five hourglass-like units hold the freshly roasted coffee beans that are used in each order. The selection rotates seasonally.
Drinks were listed on printed-out menus, instead of on the overhead menus you typically find at Starbucks.
Baristas at the coffee bar, called "coffee masters," can use seven brewing methods, including pour-over, siphon, espresso, and cold brewing.
The centerpiece of the first floor was a giant copper cask where beans are stored after they're roasted.
Coffee beans were being sent all around the store through a series of tubes that Chief Design Officer Liz Muller told reporters are "inspired by the history of the Meatpacking District."
It was designed for customers to see all of the different brewing methods more in-depth that at the main coffee bar.
Also downstairs was the machine that roasts the coffee beans before they're sent to the cask, which can be seen from almost any point in the store.
The top floor of the Roastery was the Arriviamo Bar, a complete cocktail bar that overlooks the Roastery.
... and there was even a "plants of Costa Rica" display, highlighting plants native to the area where Starbucks grows its coffee.
The store had plenty of seating throughout, including an area with a fireplace. It seemed catered more towards people who are looking to sit and stay for a while, rather than people looking to grab a coffee and go.
Unlike the Roastery, which had two coffee bars, a bakery, and a cocktail bar, this Starbucks only had one main bar with coffee and food.
There were a few counters to stand at and one communal table, and a few cushioned benches in the back.
There was a little bit of merchandise for sale, and most of it was holiday-themed. The products were mostly along the counter, rather than in a separate shop.
There were also a few different types of coffee for sale, but none of the freshly roasted blends that were available at the Roastery.
Almost all of the food was packaged, rather than fresh. A lot of the sandwiches were similar, but they looked much better at the Roastery.
Visiting the Starbucks store in the Financial District was a completely different experience from visiting the Roastery.
The Roastery had much more to offer in terms of food, coffee, and cocktails. Overall, it was a much better experience, and it was completely unique from any other Starbucks store.
The only real downside was that the Roastery was more geared towards spending an extended amount of time in, as opposed to being a place to just grab a coffee and go.