Controversy erupted online today when it was discovered a man claiming to have received this year’s first holiday red cup with an illustration of the first Starbucks at Pike Place Market on it actually had the second.
“Online sleuths have confirmed that while eBay seller Michael Hawkins claims he received this holiday season’s first Starbucks red cup with the first Starbucks on it at the Pike Place Market location, it is actually the second given out this year,” said local Starbucks historian Kristen Denny. “The first recyclable holiday red cup given out this year was actually handed out at a separate Starbucks cafe about a block away and then discarded at approximately 2000 Western Ave. never to be seen again.”
Despite evidence to the contrary, many say they will continue referring to Hawkins’ red cup as the first one given out this season since no one knows where the first one actually is.
“The second one might as well be the original first red cup if it’s the only one people can see and access,” said diehard Starbucks customer Hayleigh Morgan. “When I show it to my mom I’m just gonna tell her it was the first.”
At press time, tourists were lining up around the block to see Hawkins’ first 2025 red cup with their own eyes even though it’s exactly just like every other 2025 red cup.
