Making Mealtime Meaningful: Discover how we're giving back with the 12T Cares program →

LeBron James isn’t just known for being a successful NBA player. He’s also done some acting, as well as going into business on several different business venturing, including opening a Starbucks in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

However, this isn’t just your average Starbucks. Yes, you will be able to find your typical Starbucks menu items in it, but the location is much more than just a Starbucks. According to a press release, known as “House Thirty Three,” this place will also be a featured concert hall and a sports bar. Plus, there will be a “LeBron Museum,” which will be a replica of his former apartment prior to his joining the NBA.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Keith Allison License: CC BY-SA 2.0

While it might seem like there is so much going on, there is also another reason that this business venture is unique, and that is how the staff will be cared for. Besides receiving an hourly salary, the current 46 employees of House Thirty Three will be getting job-training certifications in hospitality. That means that while they work, they’ll also get trained in business development – including event planning, food service, and even janitorial work.

The name for the business, House Thirty Three, comes from the Akron area code, 330. It also so happens that it aligns with the location’s opening date of March 30th. LeBron has been very vocal about his efforts to end intergenerational poverty within his community, and House Thirty Three is a part of that mission.

Photo: Flickr/Raymond Wambsgans License: CC BY 2.0

The LeBron James Family Foundation bought the building three years ago with the intention of using the facilities to create various businesses, including a pizza place, a taco restaurant, a sweets store, as well as an events space for people to host different events such as parties and weddings.

They tweeted about House Thirty Three so you can get a taste of what’s to come:

Both LeBron and his team take into consideration the needs of workers and have created a “Happy Room” for workers that offers some wonderful features like a barbershop, beauty shop, lounge area, and access to plenty of personal care products.

LeBron said in the press release, “We designed House Three Thirty to create opportunities and open doors to show them that anything is possible, and that they can do it right here in Akron. We believe House Three Thirty will be a staple for our city, and we can’t wait for people to come and experience it.”

Besides the Starbucks, there are several other facilities open in the community space, including a bank and a wine bar. At present, the hours of operation for House Thirty Three are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

Subscribe to 12 Tomatoes