Luckin moves into Starbucks’ old Shanghai flagship — and keeps the 9.9 RMB price

In early 2026, Shanghai’s coffee scene got a plot twist. Luckin Coffee opened a new store right inside the former Starbucks location at Lanhai International Plaza in Lujiazui — and the internet immediately joked that “Luckin possessed Starbucks.” 😂

But this isn’t your usual grab-and-go Luckin. The two-story space has been redesigned to look like a 1930s Shanghai garden mansion. Think arched doorways, vintage iron details, stained glass windows, brass wall lamps, and product posters framed like old paintings. There’s even a gramophone and retro rotary phone tucked into the corners. Step inside and it feels less office coffee run, more time travel.

Downstairs still runs on Luckin’s efficient ordering system, while upstairs has been turned into a shared lounge with reading and study areas. The layout didn’t change much from the old Starbucks — the vibe did all the heavy lifting.

The real shock? Prices. Despite the “old money” aesthetics, Luckin kept its classic 9.9 RMB coffee deals and regular promotions. Online, people are calling it “spending 9.9 RMB to feel like 999.” ☕✨

This move isn’t random flexing. It signals Luckin’s push from pure efficiency toward “experience plus value.” With more stores nationwide than Starbucks, taking over a prime former Starbucks site — and making it viral — feels like a very local kind of coffee comeback.