Hours before the Reserve Roastery opening, the line outside wrapped the length of the building, Starbucks said. Starbucks employees passed out cups of French press coffee for the crowds to enjoy as they waited in line.

By noon, hours after the Roastery opened, the line still stretched down the side of the building as customers stood in the rain.

Once inside, customers took selfies and videos of the grand café. The entrance features a floor-to-ceiling brass engraved wall that tells the story of Starbucks.

In a nod to the countertops in Milan espresso bars, all bartops in Roastery are made of marble. They were carved from a 30-ton block of marble obtained from a Tuscan quarry.

Howard Schultz and the Milan store general manager, Giampaolo Grossi, welcome the Roastery’s first customers.

Customer Lin Shen Chi packs merchandise he bought into a suitcase. He plans to take it home to friends in his native Taiwan.

The Roastery’s mosaic marble floor was handcrafted in the traditional Palladian style. However, its geometric ceiling was designed and engineered digitally, creating a blend of history and future, Starbucks said.

The mezzanine level, accessed by a sweeping staircase, features the Arriviamo Bar. It features more than 100 cocktails with new creations and traditional favorites like the Negroni and the Aperol spritz.

The Roastery’s European terrace features cafe tables, some of which sit in giant, bronze bird cages.

Milan is the third Starbucks Reserve Roastery in the world. The others are located in Seattle and Shanghai. The Milan roastery is the first facility featuring a Scolari roaster that customers can move around to view every step of the coffee roasting process.