The first Starbucks opened in Seattle, Washington, on March 30, 1971 by three partners: English
teacher Jerry Baldwin, history teacher Zev Siegl, and writer Gordon Bowker. The three were inspired
by coffee roasting entrepreneur Alfred Peet, whom they knew personally, to sell high-quality coffee
beans and equipment. Originally the company was to be called Pequod, after a whaling
ship from Moby-Dick, but this name was rejected by some of the co-founders. The company was
instead named after the chief mate on the Pequod, Starbuck. They opened a store called Starbucks
Coffee, Tea, and Spice in the touristy Pikes Place Market in Seattle.
The three partners shared a love of fine coffees and exotic teas and believed they could build a