Inside Look: The New Starbucks at Bally’s Grand Bazaar

The much anticipated ‘stadium seating’ Starbucks at Bally’s Grand Bazaar is open. So go on in and get your “Quad Venti, 15 pump Vanilla, Whole Milk, No Foam, Extra Hot, With Whip Cream, Double Cupped Latte.” The 3,300 square foot property features a three-tier, two-sided Grand Stand. The Grand Stand seats 36 (which doesn’t sound very ‘Grand’, but on crowded days you might…stand).

Starbucks new location has been touted as ‘One-of-a-Kind‘, and understandably so. From the bleachers, one can sip a Starbucks drink and enjoy views of tourists on the pedestrian bridge, a projection screen, and a mural depicting Starbucks traditional coffee-making process.

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Unlike Licensed Starbucks stores, which you may find in various casino properties, this new location at Bally’s Grand Bazaar is Corporate Owned. For a breakdown of Licensed Starbucks vs. Corporate Starbucks, my wife–a self-admitted Starbucks lover– describes it this way (paraphrased): “Licensed Starbucks are owned by Starbucks and licensed to a building. So employees of the building (Fry’s or Target) are working at a Starbucks kiosk while a Starbucks Corporate store would have employees of Starbucks. Corporate Starbucks have more amenities (Clover Brewing Systems, Fizzio machines) than licensed Starbucks. A licensed store would have a limited sandwich selection, may not honor the Starbucks MyRewards program (varies), and can not accept tips.”

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If you want to take a piece of this Starbucks home with you, you’re in luck. There are plenty of things you might use a few times and then leave it in your kitchen cabinet (my wife already has her eyes on one of those Vegas-themed travel bottles or mugs).

This writer was raised in New York and isn’t ever thrilled/excited when it comes to Starbucks. Perhaps because when I was growing up in New York, I had seen a Starbucks pop up on almost every corner. Or, maybe because, I’m more of a Dunkin’ Donuts kind of guy. With the collective groan of more and more Walgreens on the strip, here’s a visual comparison of Walgreens vs. Starbucks:

Walgreens Locations

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Starbucks Locations

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I’m just sayin’.

While Starbucks isn’t my cup of coffee, I’m sure this new location will perk up interest for those Starbucks lovers out there.

[photo credit: Bally’s, sammasseur]

4 thoughts on “Inside Look: The New Starbucks at Bally’s Grand Bazaar

  1. If the stock market implodes I hope the first two companies that it takes down with it are Starbucks and Walgreens. So tired of their presence on The Strip.

  2. The million tier credit question, does this Starbucks location accept Total Rewards credits for payment?

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