The brand new releases from Shanghai’s Starbucks Bearista Town store
Starbucks has introduced a truly unique concept in Shanghai – an exclusive location that feels more like a museum, fully dedicated to the world of Bearistas. Celebrating the character’s 29-year journey, the space brings together hundreds of Bearistas from across different cities and regions, along with a curated collection of limited-edition merchandise. It is a playful and highly collectible-focused release that blends storytelling with design.
The merchandise collection – including the mug, ornament, stainless steel tumbler, and tote bag – stands out as one of the most refined interpretations of the Been There series so far. The design clearly takes inspiration from both the Been There Shanghai mug and the Been There China country mug. The color palette leans into warm beige, brown, and gold tones, giving the entire design a more premium and almost vintage feel compared to the brighter, more saturated typical releases.
One of the most striking details is the use of hanzi for the city name “上海”, which is prominently placed and blends naturally into the artwork. The 360-degree illustration wraps around each item, featuring a mix of well-known Shanghai landmarks and cultural elements. You can spot architectural icons like historic waterfront buildings and modern skyline references, alongside smaller details such as flowers, coffee elements, and local motifs that fill the space without making it feel overcrowded.
Overall, this release feels like a thoughtful evolution of the series, combining familiar elements with a more polished and locally grounded design approach. It is easily one of the most beautiful Been There mugs released so far. I will definitely be adding the ornament to my collection and will share more pictures once I have it in hand.
