In 1971 Starbucks opens its first location in Seattle's Pike Place Market. In 1982 Starbucks begins providing coffee to fine restaurants and espresso bars. Howard Schultz, director of retail operations and marketing, observed the popularity of espresso bars in Milan, Italy in 1983. In 1984 Starbucks tested the coffee bar concept in a new location in downtown Seattle. This successful experiment is the genesis of the modern day company that offers brewed coffee and espresso beverages made from Starbucks coffee beans. In 1991, Starbucks became the first privately-owned U.S. company to offer a stock option program that includes part-time employees.