Global Coffee Brand ‘The Coffee’ Opens Flagship Store in Front of UNESCO World Heritage Site Changdeokgung Palace

Global premium coffee brand The Coffee officially opened its Anguk flagship store on October 13, located directly in front of Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site.   It is highly unusual for a foreign brand to open a store in front of a royal palace that served as the residence of Joseon dynasty kings and is also a nationally protected cultural heritage site. Industry insiders describe this opening as “a symbolic milestone that proves the brand’s credibility and prestige.”   Changdeokgung Palace, built in 1405 during the early Joseon Dynasty, served as the kings’ primary residence and the center of state affairs.   Unlike many palaces around the world, Changdeokgung was designed to harmonize with the natural terrain instead of altering it, making it a representative model of East Asian palace architecture.   In recognition of its cultural and historical significance, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, with UNESCO praising it as “a palace where architecture and nature are seamlessly integrated.”   The fact that The Coffee has opened a flagship store directly in front of such a historically and culturally important site is significant in itself. Because commercial development around UNESCO Heritage sites or nationally designated cultural properties is heavily restricted, it is extremely rare for a foreign brand to secure such a location.   This achievement demonstrates that The Coffee is not merely a coffee franchise, but a high-end global brand recognized for its quality, design, and brand value.   The Coffee has already expanded rapidly into key commercial districts across Korea, including Seongsu, The Hyundai Seoul, Hyundai Department Store Pangyo, Samsung DSR Tower, The Hyundai Daegu, and its own headquarters building “The Coffee Tower” in Seocho.   More recently, the brand has secured some of the most competitive and premium locations in the country—Lotte World Mall (Jamsil), Nine One Hannam, Dosan (Apgujeong), and Gran Seoul (Starfield Avenue)—all within just a few months, drawing significant attention from the industry.   Consumer response has been explosive.   Rather than being seen as a typical café, The Coffee is recognized as “a brand that delivers space, design, and experience.”   User-generated content and organic exposure on social media have surged, especially at the Anguk store, where the traditional beauty of Changdeokgung blends with The Coffee’s minimal and sophisticated aesthetic.   Many visitors have described it as “the café that best represents Seoul.”   The Coffee is also innovating beyond space and interior design by differentiating its menu.   The brand is preparing to launch a premium dessert lineup such as matcha mochi and coffee mochi, which reflect The Coffee’s unique identity infused with Korean “tteok” (rice cake) culture.   This move is expected to lead a new wave of K-dessert culture that pairs perfectly with specialty coffee.   A representative of The Coffee Korea stated, “The Coffee Anguk is not just another store opening—it is a moment where our brand philosophy meets the beauty of Korean culture in the most meaningful way.”   They added, “Based on the rapid growth and strong response we’ve seen in Korea this year, we plan to accelerate our expansion into major global cities.”   The Coffee is evolving beyond a coffee brand into a cultural brand that designs the experience of the city itself.   정현식 기자coffee flagship highland foods years highland meat producers

2025.10.16. 22:09

"커피, 제대로 배워볼까?"… SCA 커피 스킬 개강 임박

LA 한인타운 웨스턴 선상에 위치한 'Los Angeles Coffee College'가 9월부터 세계적으로 인정받는 'SCA 커피 스킬(Coffee Skill) 자격증 프로그램'을 시작한다. 숙련된 AST(Authorized SCA Trainer)와 Q-Instructor가 지도하며, 바리스타와 로스터가 갖춰야 할 커피 지식과 기술을 체계적으로 배울 수 있다.   SCA 프로그램은 국제스페셜티커피협회가 운영하는 공식 교육 과정으로 생두 선택, 추출, 에스프레소와 브루잉 기술, 장비 관리, 커핑 평가, 커피 과학 및 산업 이해까지 다양한 영역을 포함한다. 이수 후에는 글로벌 커피업계에서도 인정받는 자격증을 취득할 수 있다.   초급반은 월요일 오전반과 화요일 오후반으로 나뉘어 운영된다. 월요일 오전반은 9월 29일 오전 10시 시작, 화요일 오후반은 9월 30일 오후 5시 시작으로, 매주 1회씩 6주 동안 진행된다. 10월에는 바리스타 중급반과 로스팅 초급반이 개강한다. 바리스타 중급반은 월.수.금요일 집중반으로 10월 11일 오후 4시부터 2주간 운영되며, 로스팅 초급반은 화.목.토 집중반으로 10월 12일 오후 4시 시작, 2주 동안 수업이 이어진다.   Los Angeles Coffee College 관계자는 "이번 프로그램을 통해 커피에 대한 체계적인 지식과 실무 능력을 쌓고, 글로벌 커피 전문가로 성장할 수 있는 기회를 제공한다"고 밝혔다. 그 외 1:1 맞춤 수업이나 주말반 등 다양한 일정이 가능하며, 신청과 문의는 이메일을 통해 안내받을 수 있다.     ▶문의: (213)534-7790   ▶이메일: [email protected]   ▶주소: 429 N. Western Ave, Suite 4&5,    Los Angeles 알뜰탑 college coffee coffee college

2025.09.14. 12:16