She’s Bean Everywhere! Fort Bragg Manager Keeps 40 of These as Grande Travel Mementos
“The unique aspect of Starbucks cups . . . is that they incorporate cultural components of the state or country,” collector Yajaira Jimenez says.
If anybody wants proof that the Exchange’s Yajaira Jimenez spent time in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Min City, ask her to show off her Starbucks coffee mug from the town once known as Saigon.
Bogota, Colombia? No sweat. She has a Starbucks from that city, too. Bangkok? Been there, got the Starbucks cup.
In fact, 40 Starbucks mugs from throughout the world brew up plenty of memories for Jimenez, food court manager at Fort Bragg, N.C. At the Exchange, she is working at the Starbucks to learn the ins-and-outs of making a good cup of joe.
“We were celebrating the Starbucks’ grand re-opening late last month after being closed for seven months because of renovations,” she said. “I wanted to share my collection with the guests, and the grand opening was the perfect occasion.”
Her Starbucks cups come from Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando, Washington, D.C. , and states such as both Carolinas, New Jersey, Florida, Virginia, Michigan, Hawaii, New York and Washington, D.C.
In addition to Vietnam and Colombia, the countries range from Mexico; the Philippines; Japan, Cambodia; Malaysia; Thailand; Peru; and Costa Rica. She even has a Starbucks mug from her birthplace, Puerto Rico.
“The unique aspect of Starbucks cups compared to other coffee cups is that they incorporate cultural components of the state or country,” said Jimenez, who’s worked at the Exchange for 18 years, all at Fort Bragg. “I enjoy traveling and learning about new cultures, so the cups tell stories about the uniqueness of what makes that country or state special.”
Jimenez’s daughter, Kiana, began the hobby by collecting regular coffee cops whenever the family travelled with Jimenez’s husband, Ferdinand Perez-Rivera while he was a Soldier. He has since retired from the Army as a major after serving 20 years.
Jimenez even kept her eyes peeled for Starbucks coffee mugs whenever the family took vacations.
“Wherever we went, we knew we would always find a Starbucks and get a mug,” Jimenez said “But we just don’t stop at Starbucks coffee cops. We collect shot glasses, bottle openers, and masks that represent the cultures and the countries.
“I’m a sole believer that no matter where you go, whether it’s in the States or overseas, there’s always a story out there and Starbucks coffee cups embody that.
