Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ: SBUX) recently announced that it will be opening its first “Signing Store” in the United States, specifically in Washington D.C. This new store will be manned by a team of deaf Starbucks partners (employees), and allies led an effort to launch this unique store model. The store is expected to open in early October.

The store will be located at 6th and H Streets, near Gallaudet University, which is considered a bustling hub that is deaf-friendly.

Management believes that this store will create a distinctive retail experience for all customers, while offering a unique store format that promotes accessibility and offers employment and career advancement opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing people.

Howard A. Rosenblum, CEO of the National Association of the Deaf, commented:

The National Association of the Deaf applauds Starbucks for opening a Signing Store that employs Deaf and hard of hearing people. Starbucks has taken an innovative approach to incorporating Deaf Culture that will increase employment opportunities as well as accessibility for Deaf and hard of hearing people, while at the same time educating and enlightening society.

Shares of Starbucks traded down fractionally early Thursday at $51.17, with a consensus analyst price target of $59.30 and a 52-week trading range of $47.37 to $61.94.

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