GLOBAL coffee shop chain, Starbucks, will be putting up its first drive-thru branch in Mindanao in Damosa Gateway, Davao City.

On December 27, 2021, Damosa Land Inc. (DLI) President Ricardo F. Lagdameo posted a photo of the signing between DLI and Starbucks Philippines, represented by Enrique Antonio Tantoco Lopez, Store Development Manager.

Lagdameo said in an interview with SunStar Davao that the target completion of the first drive-thru Starbucks branch in Mindanao will be around the second half of 2022.

"This was supposed to have been started early 2020. But [the] pandemic happened; all the timelines [were] moved. That is why we are still happy that they came back and they said they are ready to move forward with it," Lagdameo said.

He said this branch will be a "great addition" to the Damosa complex.

At present, Starbucks has five branches in Davao City. Three are located in malls -- SM Lanang Premier, SM City Davao, and Abreeza Ayala Mall -- while the other two are stand-alone stores -- one is along F. Torres St. and the other is in the Matina IT Park.

Meanwhile, DLI has expressed optimism over its retail and office spaces following a recovery in occupancy rates in 2021.

"Damosa Land’s retail and traditional office segment is currently at 94 percent occupancy versus around 88 percent in 2020. Damosa Land expects to maintain the recovery trend in this segment as more businesses open up next year," the company said.