Starbucks opens first retail outlet at new Town Hall Station

Starbucks has become the first retail tenant to open at Melbourne’s new Town Hall Station, launching a new café inside the Metro Tunnel precinct ahead of other retailers.

The new store opened at 6am on March 26 and marks the first food and beverage offering within the station, giving commuters an early look at the retail component of one of the city’s biggest public transport projects.

Located within Town Hall Station, the café has been designed as a compact urban coffee hub tailored to the fast pace of city travel. Starbucks said the 184 sqm space balances efficiency with comfort, with digital menu boards, warm lighting and a calmer interior palette aimed at offering commuters a brief pause in transit.

The opening is also significant for the CBD more broadly, with the Town Hall retail precinct expected to become a major new underground destination as the Metro Tunnel network takes shape.

Starbucks Australia chief executive Braeden Lord said the opening was an important milestone for the company.

“Opening within the new Town Hall station is a proud moment for Starbucks Australia,” he said.

“As the first food and beverage offering in this new transport hub, we have a unique opportunity to connect with customers early on, becoming part of the daily ritual for students, workers, visitors and travellers alike.”

To mark the launch, Starbucks offered opening-day promotions including discounted matcha drinks, limited-edition Harry Potter merchandise and a menu featuring new items such as a Spicy Bean Burrito, sandwiches and desserts.

The Town Hall outlet will trade seven days a week from 6am to 10pm. Starbucks said the store reflected its continued investment in locations “at the centre of daily life”, with the new station offering a high-profile foothold in the heart of Melbourne.