Fort Liberty Exchange Celebrates Military Community With First Starbucks Military Family Store on a Military Installation

Military families at Fort Liberty are enjoying a sense of connection and support at the Exchange’s first Starbucks to be recognized as a Military Family Store on a military installation, honoring its tradition of service and support for those who serve. Fort Liberty’s store is the first such Starbucks on a military installation.

In February, Fort Liberty command, Exchange and Starbucks leaders celebrated the North Post Starbucks, which was updated with Military Family Store elements including military-focused artwork, guidons, American flags and murals. Of the store’s 16 associates, seven who are connected to the military wear special green aprons denoting their affiliation with the military community.

Starbucks’ expansion of the Military Family Store format at Exchange U.S.-operated locations is part of the coffee company’s aspiration to more than double its Military Family Store footprint to 250 stores by 2025.  Fort Liberty was selected as the first store to receive the update as it’s the largest military installation in the continental United States, with three Exchange-operated Starbucks locations.

“Fort Liberty is a vital Army installation,” said General Manager Thomas Kuttamperoor. “It’s an honor to serve those who serve with special reminders and small details that show our shoppers that we are one family at Fort Liberty.”

Leading up to the event, Exchange Senior Restaurant Program Planner Mary Trujillo-Gaiter coordinated with Starbucks representatives to have the store’s flags and aprons ordered and available in time for the redesignation. The Services and Food team also collaborated with Starbucks teams to execute the event.

“It was awesome to see how many groups have a hand in supporting the military community,” Trujillo-Gaiter said. “To see us all connecting in one way or another to celebrate military families was great.”

The Exchange-operated coffee shop at Fort Liberty North Post first opened in 2010. At present, all Starbucks managers at the location are Coffee Master certified, having undergone special training to become experts on the coffee they serve.

Starbucks Manager Karolyn Madera, a military wife and mother of a Soldier stationed at Fort Liberty, expressed her honor at managing the first store of its kind on a military installation.

“This is a true example of family serving family,” she said. “Knowing that retirees like my husband and Soldiers like my son have a place like this to come to and feel at home is awesome.”

The Exchange opened its first Starbucks at Eglin AFB in 1997. Today, more than 80 Exchange locations worldwide have Starbucks. All Exchange-operated locations will be recognized as Military Family stores as scheduled upgrades are completed.

“We want Veterans and military families to come together and feel part of the Exchange family,” said Exchange Senior Restaurant Program Planner Nalan Howard. “This event created a big impact for Starbucks and the Exchange.”