Restaurants & Bars
Italian Bakery, Backed By Starbucks, Opening In Chicago
Rocco Princi opened his first bakery in Milan in 1986. Now, Starbucks is investing in him and his baking, opening restaurants in the U.S.
CHICAGO, IL — Chicago is getting America's second Princi, an authentic Italian bakery chain. Starbucks has invested in the bakeries and is opening locations in the U.S. The first Princi, naturally, was in Seattle, the cafe giant's hometown. Princi's Chicago grand opening will be on Tuesday.
The bakery was founded by Rocco Princi in Milan, Italy, in 1986. As an investor, Starbucks is opening Princi locations across the globe. The first U.S. bakery opened in the Capitol Hill Starbucks Roastery Reserve in November.
It's not just a by-hand bakery, however. Princi will also serve as a bar and cafe, serving pastries, pizza, wine, cocktails, beer, small plates and desserts.
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Food and Wine reported the Seattle location's "visual buffet is certainly tantalizing." They reported Princi is dead set on fresh ingredients and Italian imports and will rotate between locations to keep standards high.
"Designed with ovens as the centerpiece of his stores, Rocco Princi and his team bring the theatre of baking to life using simple, yet sacred artisanal techniques, and exceptional ingredients sourced specifically for each fresh food offering," Starbucks said in a press release last November about the first Princi opening.
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See the Princi website.
As of now, Princi has standalone locations in Milan, London and Seattle. Chicago and New York City are next on the list. Princi also appears inside the Starbucks Reserve Roasteries in Seattle, Shanghai and Milan.Eater reported that happy hour at Princi will include free pieces of pizza with the purchase of a cocktail.
“I think Chicago is proud of its own pizza tradition but not limited to it,” said Selim Giray, VP of Princi business planning at Starbucks. “I think we can bring something in that’s beautifully differentiated, but I would say Princi represents so much more than just pizza.”
Princi Chicago will be at 1000 W. Randolph St.
See more: Starbucks Opens Princi In Seattle, First U.S. Standalone Bakery
Article image courtesy of Starbucks
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