“Our mission is that the entertainment will support the coffee vibe,” says C. Shane Sykes, the general manager of the new store.

Sykes, who worked for Starbucks previously at the Memorial Drive location, says he is particularly excited about the new Harvard Square location due to the complexity of the two-story set-up and the opportunity to host coffee seminars that are open to the public.

“The second floor is a special opportunity to deliver a unique coffee experience,” Sykes says.

THREE STARBUCKS

Though the new store will be the third Starbucks in Harvard Square and the seventh store in Cambridge, Sykes says the new location will be a little over 3,000 square feet and be more open compared to the other more crowded locations. The second floor windows will overlook Harvard Square.

“I guarantee that the second floor is the best view in Cambridge with huge windows. We’ll take advantage of that by having two soft seating chairs and a low table in front of a window,” Hemati says.

The store will be open seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. to appeal to late night customers.

Sykes says he does not think the new store will take away profits from other Starbucks locations in Harvard Square.

“Each store has its individual set of regulars, but the beauty of Starbucks is that we share those regulars,” Sykes says.

THE HEART OF HARVARD SQUARE

Krum says that the design of the new store will set it apart from the other Square locations.

“It’s not the traditional look and feel people have gotten used to,” Krum says.

Krum says the new design will capture the culture of Cambridge and Harvard Square.

“We don’t want the stores to all look alike. We want them to fit better in each community that they serve,” Hemati says. “I’ve tried to make the store specific to the people that are going to use it, mainly students.”

The design team has been enthusiastic about working with the building’s historic architecture, says Krum, adding that the new store will be certified according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, which evaluate how environmentally friendly a building is. The store will use recycled materials, reclaimed furniture, and barn wood.