U.S. java chain Starbucks has opened its first cafe staffed entirely by senior citizens aged over 60. The branch is located in the Coyocan neighborhood of Mexico City.
The employees work on a more flexible schedule than regular Starbucks employees and various physical adaptations have been made to the branch, which is built on a single level.
The seniors receive the same salaries as all other baristas working for the company in Mexico, as well as benefits and health insurance.
Starbucks currently employs 65 seniors and hopes to increase that number to 120 throughout Mexico by the end of 2019.
The project has been developed in collaboration with Mexico’s Instituto Nacional de las Personas Adultas Mayores (INAPAM).
Mexico’s over 60s population has now hit 12.4 million — 10 percent of the total — and will rise considerably higher over the next decade.