Coffee is everywhere and, arguably, so are coffee shops.
But Starbucks is opening an outlet with a difference.
The US chain - which has 28,000 stores worldwide - is returning to the home of coffee.
It is opening a Reserve Roastery in the Italian city of Milan.
Image: Joshua Trujillo/Starbucks Newsroom
It is being housed in a historic former post office in Palazzo delle Poste - a city square along the Piazza Cordusio.
The company says: "This isn't just any Starbucks store. It couldn't be, not if it was going to truly pay homage to the Italian culture that inspired the brand.
"It had to be one of the grandest Starbucks ever."
Image: Joshua Trujillo/Starbucks Newsroom
It is its third roastery in the world, after Seattle, which opened in 2014, and Shanghai, which opened in 2017.
The Milan Roastery will offer locally roasted, Arabica coffee sourced from 30 countries and freshly baked food.
It also offers a 30-foot marble bar, carved from a single block of Calacatta Macchia Vecchia.
The company says the opening on Friday is a "full-circle moment" for Starbucks chairman emeritus, Howard Schultz.
Image: Joshua Trujillo/Starbucks Newsroom
It says Mr Schultz's first visit to Milan in 1983 had a profound impact on him and he was "deeply impressed" by the city's art, fashion, music, culture and architecture - but also Italy's espresso culture.
He stepped down from his role as company chairman in July.
Image: Joshua Trujillo/Starbucks Newsroom
Starbucks has over 40 stores across Ireland.
