News of a Starbucks in Iqaluit was first reported last year, with the cafe projected to open in February 2015.
Mmmmm. Specialty coffees, Starbucks recipes, coming to #Iqaluit in 2 wks: http://t.co/cEhPjONzN2
— Elyse Skura (@eskura) January 26, 2015
Alas, the initial opening date was passed, and Iqalummiut put their Triple Venti Soy No-Foam Latte dreams aside. That is until...
Babysitter said she's going to Starbucks and that it's open??? #Iqaluit
— Aaron W (@Teirersias) June 26, 2015
Aaron's babysitter was not lying, and as of July 1st, the Starbucks in Iqaluit was officially open. And people couldn't believe it.
@Starbucks is officially here in the capital of Nunavut... Never thought I would see this happen! #Iqaluit #vlogtonowhere
— Jessica & Stephen (@VLOGtoNOWHERE) July 2, 2015
The cafe currently serves a small selection from the full Starbucks menu, staples like Americanos, cappuccinos, lattes - all available in sizes Tall to Venti. The most popular order, though, seems to be the Caramel Macchiato, one of the chain's specialty drinks that is unprecedented in the Iqaluit coffee scene.
Caramel macchiato @Starbucks finally open in #Iqaluit pic.twitter.com/HzosFm5dbO
— Roselynn Akulukjuk (@akulukjuk) July 2, 2015
The emergence of the giant coffee franchise into Iqaluit's service and hospitality market has some clear implications for the city, namely, access to more choice for your caffeine fix.
Fun fact: According to my research, Whitehorse held the record for "northernmost Starbucks in Canada" when their outlet opened in 2005. Well, Iqaluit is three degrees North of Whitehorse, meaning that, unless there is a Starbucks in Inuvik, we may be able to lay claim to the northernmost Starbucks in the country (but not the world; that one is in Fairbanks).
So does the Northern location come with Northern prices? Yes. That Tall Caramel Macchiato will cost you $7.15 up here, but ranges in price from just over $4.00 to $5.03 down south. Worth it for the option, right? Well, if the option is there.
As seen at Starbucks in Iqaluit. pic.twitter.com/NRZAwBhHTv
— Finding True North (@FindTrueN) July 8, 2015
As some have noted, the cafe is not a full-service Starbucks (so maybe Whitehorse can keep the title, if we're being technical).
Quasi-Starbucks or not, the entry of the American mega-corporation has some people feeling patriotic.
so they're putting a @starbucks across the street from my house? I intend on ordering a double double opening day…
— ᑯᐹᒃ ᐅᒃᑯᖅ ᑕᑦᑐᐃᓂ (@tattuinee) September 3, 2014
No way is there a Starbucks in Iqaluit! #sarcasm #TimHortonsGuy
— Sam Tilley (@helicopter19) July 1, 2015
(Except Burger King now owns Tim Hortons.)
Whether your java allegiance leans towards Roll Up the Rim or Skinny Lattes, we can all agree on one thing: let's not settle this coffee war on the streets.
Iqaluit's answer to Starbucks opened 12 hrs ago and things like this are already happening. Come on, #wecandobetter! pic.twitter.com/FY7CAKdLjP
— Amy Porteous (@polarbarista) July 2, 2015
Have you been to the Starbucks in Iqaluit? Let us know in the comments!