Starbucks Malaysia Opens Second Cafe Staffed With All Deaf, Hard of Hearing Workers

Following the success of its first “Signing Store” in Kuala Lumpur which opened in 2016, Starbucks has unveiled another store of its kind in Penang.

“Our second Signing store in Penang is officially in motion and brewing! Penangites, share the good news and enjoy a unique experience of our Starbucks Signing Store,” Starbucks wrote on its Facebook page last week when it announced the grand opening.

The initiative, made possible through a partnership with the Penang Deaf Association, aims to “support the professional training and development” of the staff, according to Starbucks’ website.

Meanwhile, Penang Deaf Association President Razman Tan Abdullah has expressed excitement to “provide richer career opportunities and sense of belonging to the local deaf community.”

The partnership also includes sign language programs for the new store’s seven hearing employees, Says reports.

Upon its opening on November 19, the Penang Signing Store branch became the fourth Starbucks shop in the world dedicated to providing job opportunities to members of the deaf community. Two other Singing Stores can be found in Washington D.C. and Guangzhou, China.

In the Penang Signing Store, a beautiful mural created by local deaf artist Lim Anuar is put on display at the site to showcase the vibrant deaf culture in Malaysia.

The three-story outlet is also equipped with visual alarms, digital trays and state-of-the-art point-of-sale systems to aid both staff and employees in hassle-free transactions.

Feature Image via Starbucks Malaysia