Published: January 19, 2008 02:01 am         

Starbucks opening delayed

London store will open next Friday, officials say

Area coffee connoisseurs who yearn for the taste of a skinny vanilla latte, an iced café mocha or any of Starbucks’ other famous coffees, will have to wait one more week before they will be available in London.

Store Manager Kim-berly Collins said the opening has been pushed back to Jan. 25. The store had been slated to open today.

“We thought we might be open by Jan. 18, but we want to make sure we have our ducks in a row,” Collins said. “We are very excited to bring Starbucks to London.”

Construction on the London location on KY 192 next to Country Inn and Suites began in Sept. 2007. Collins said the new store will employ 20 people.

The store, which will offer both drive through and walk-in service, will be open at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Satur-day and 6 a.m. on Sunday. The store will close at 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at midnight Friday and Satur-day.

“I’m very excited about the group of talented employees we have,” Collins said. “I can’t wait until we open for business.”

In addition to the various caffinated brews for which Starbucks is famous, the store will offer a variety of snack foods, including muffins, coffee cake, croissants, brownies and cookies.