Shinsegae Department Store Opens US Top 3 Coffee Brand 'Intelligentsia' at Main Branch

International Global Branch No. 2
First Entry in the Department Store Industry

Shinsegae Department Store announced on the 18th that it will introduce "Intelligentsia," one of the three major specialty coffee brands in the United States, at its main store.

Intelligentsia, which started in Chicago in 1995, is considered one of the top three specialty coffees in the U.S. along with Blue Bottle and Stumptown. It is also famous for establishing a direct trade system with coffee bean origins and a barista-centered coffee shop operation method.

The interior of the Intelligentsia Coffee Bar at Shinsegae Department Store.

Specialty coffee is a term that can only be used for coffee that scores 80 points or higher out of 100 based on standards set by the Specialty Coffee Association.

Intelligentsia, which will open on the basement first floor of the main store, is the brand's second global store. It is the first to be introduced in the domestic department store industry and features a modern store design combining stainless steel, tiles, and wood. The first store is located in Seochon and is designed as a hanok (traditional Korean house).

To provide a higher quality coffee experience, Intelligentsia invited Evelyn, a manager from the U.S. West Coast, to directly train Korean baristas. The same local U.S. guide is applied so customers can enjoy coffee of the same quality as in the U.S. mainland.

Intelligentsia coffee offers limited edition beans each season. This season, they are introducing the "Summer Solstice Blend," a seasonal bean that captures the bright and lively feeling of summer, characterized by fruity aroma and a smooth, refreshing taste.

To celebrate the opening of the new store, Intelligentsia will offer a free "Intelligentsia Oat Latte RTD (Ready To Drink)" with beverage purchases until July 21.

Choi Wonjun, Executive Director in charge of food at Shinsegae Department Store, said, “We are introducing the Intelligentsia coffee bar to satisfy the growing domestic coffee market and the elevated coffee preferences of our customers. We will continue to introduce new and diverse brands to provide special experiences and customer satisfaction.”