Last updated on June 13th, 2024
Building on the popularity of introducing the first Starbucks café on the Navajo Nation in Window Rock, Arizona, Bashas’ Diné Markets plans to add two more Starbucks locations – one in Tuba City and the other in Kayenta – to serve the Navajo people.
“It’s our honor to expand the Starbucks offerings at our Bashas’ Diné Markets,” said Johnny Basha, VP of special projects for Bashas’ Family of Stores. “We continually listen to asks from the communities we serve, including our Navajo customers, and we are excited to provide convenient access to the products and services that the Navajo Nation wants.”
Currently under construction, the second Starbucks café on the Navajo Nation will celebrate its grand opening at the Bashas’ Diné Market in Tuba City on Aug. 21. A traditional Navajo blessing will take place prior to the opening. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, Navajo Nation VP Myron Lizer, Bashas’ President Edward “Trey” Basha and Johnny Basha will visit the store that morning as well. 
Throughout the weekend, Bashas’ will encourage Starbucks customers to take a selfie at the new Tuba City location and publicly post it to their social media platforms using #BashasTubaCityStarbucks for a chance to win a $50 Bashas’ gift card. A winner will be randomly selected on Aug. 23.
The Starbucks addition in Tuba City will add up to 20 jobs to the local community. The Bashas’ Diné Market in Kayenta will open the third Starbucks café on the Navajo Nation in early October.
These are just the latest examples of Bashas’ growing connection with the Navajo people, which began in 1982, when the grocer opened its first Bashas’ Diné Market on the Navajo Nation. Bashas’ has been an active and involved member of the Navajo Nation, supporting education, nutrition, art, health and wellness through community programs and collaborations.
Each Bashas’ Diné Market location also gives back 25 percent of its profits to the Navajo Nation. Through this profit-sharing arrangement, in addition to rent and percentage rent, Bashas’ has contributed upward of $48 million to the Navajo Nation for educational scholarship and economic development.
During the past year, Bashas’ has helped to offset the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the reservation by securing and distributing food, water and sanitizer to tribe members, Navajo Nation Police and other front-line workers. Additionally, the Starbucks Foundation gave grants to organizations like Community Outreach and Patient Empowerment and the Center for American Indian Health in support of their work with the Navajo Nation.
“We value our longstanding partnership with the Basha family and are excited to see the expansion of the Starbucks franchise on the Navajo Nation,” Nez said. “The new location within the Tuba City Bashas’ Diné Market will provide more jobs and options for community members and a world- renowned storefront that is familiar to visitors and tourists. This will also provide a boost to the economy, help to keep revenue on the Navajo Nation and promote the ‘Buy Navajo, Buy Local’ initiative.”
Since the Starbucks café at the Bashas’ Diné Market in Window Rock began serving up customized creations in late 2017, it has become a top-performing location for the iconic coffee brand, out of all the Starbucks cafes that the grocer operates company-wide. One of the top-selling offerings on the menu at the Starbucks café in Windown Rock are Starbucks Refreshers beverages.
In recent years, Bashas’ Diné Markets have increased the health and wellness options at its grocery stores, focused on not only increased fresh offerings but health education as well. One example of this is its Diné Healthy labels, which identify nearly 400 “better-for-you” foods in each area of the store. Additionally, remerchandising within the stores provides extra visibility of these healthier items, and a partnership with COPE’s Fruit & Vegetable Prescription Program further encourages healthy living.
“We aim to continue to provide education, access and support of healthier eating and active lifestyle choices in our stores,” said Johnny Basha.
