Starbucks to open 1st US signing store on H Street in DC

WASHINGTON - Starbucks has announced that it will open its first signing store, which will feature a full staff fluent in American Sign Language, on H Street in the District.

The coffee chain says all the employees at the Starbucks on 6th Street and H Street near Gallaudet University will be fluent in American Sign Language.

Gallaudet University is the world's only college in which all programs and services are specifically designed for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Starbucks said it will hire 20 to 25 deaf, hard of hearing and hearing partners from across the country to work at the store with a requirement that all be proficient in American Sign Language.

The store, which is slated to open in October, was inspired by a similar signing store which opened in Malaysia in 2016, according to the company.