Albemarle is currently reviewing plans for a proposed Starbucks to come to the city. It would be located in a 2,505-square-foot stand-alone building next to Biscuitville along N.C. Highway 24-27.

“We’re reviewing plans and hopefully should have approval on that within the next week or week-and-a-half,” said Albemarle Planning Director Kevin Robinson, noting there’s no specific date as for when the ground breaking would begin.

As long as it gets approved, the location will have double drive-through lanes, similar to what exists at both Biscuitville and Chick-fil-A, said Robinson.

“Overall, I think it’s location, where it is….I think it will be a positive new addition to the city,” he added.

This will be the second Starbucks coming to the county.

Construction began late last year for a Starbucks in Locust, which should open sometime this summer, said Locust Planning and Zoning Director Scott Efird. The Starbucks will be housed in a 2,500-square-foot part of a new strip mall located at 11602 Redbridge Blvd. that will also include Jersey Mike’s and T-Mobile.

“The demographics of Stanly County are changing because those (Starbucks locations) are not usually heard of in rural areas,” Efird said.