Published: August 19, 2007 06:09 pm      

First Ashland Starbucks opening Monday

ASHLAND — There was no smell of expresso at the new Starbucks Coffee Company on Winchester Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard on Friday.

But inside the newly finished building employees were busy sweeping away the last evidence of construction, unpacking coffee pots and placing mugs on shelves in preparation for the store’s long awaited opening Monday.

They were, in the words of the new store’s manager, Roger Keeton, “just getting the final pieces together. Getting everything in place.”

“It’s kind of like getting ready for a party at your house,” he added.

An Ashland native who has opened six stores for Starbucks, Keeton returned to his hometown to be a part of the opening of the community’s first Starbucks.

“That was the main reason for wanting to come back,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to share the company with my hometown.”

On Saturday, store employees underwent the “Starbucks Experience Class,” a kind of coffee school for employees, before finally opening the doors to the general public Monday.

Property owner Nora Absher said she is excited to see the store open after months of planning, delays and hard work.

“I feel very relieved and very thankful that it is over,” she said. “I appreciate all the excitement that I get and the positive reaction from the community. I get reaction all the way from Prestonsburg. People in Prestonsburg can’t wait to get to Ashland for the Starbucks.”

The stores hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Saturday. The 1,750 square-foot store can seat 29 people between its coffeehouse and outdoor patio.

The location also features a drive-thru accessible from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard or Winchester Avenue.

District Manager Klint Arnold said he has already hired 20 new employees for the store but plans to hire a several more.

“We never stop hiring,” Arnold said. “We will over hire if someone is the right person.”

CARRIE KIRSCHNER can be reach at ckirschner@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.