This new Shack is in bloom!
No two Shake Shacks are the same. And so, when this modern roadside burger stand opens a new branch, expect the unexpected — from the food to the merch, down to interiors!
All’s in bloom this summer, as Shake Shack brings in the beauty of the outdoors with its in-Shack artwork, created by graphic artist and illustrator Raxenne Maniquiz, to its new location: SM North EDSA.
Inside the Shack, Raxenne visually translates her Philippine flora and fauna piece into 73 polygon diagrams spanning the outlet’s dining space, providing pops of color in the interior’s natural finish. Hanging plants were also brought in to complete the “secret garden” look.
“Quezon City has a lot of urban parks,” notes Kate Villasenor, marketing director, Specialty Food Retailers Inc. (SFRI), as she showed me Raxenne’s statement mural piece on the facade — punctuated by the playful Shake Shack icons — setting a fun background for selfies. “Raxenne’s artworks just blended well not only in QC, but also here at SM North EDSA, which boasts the Sky Garden.”
SFRI is the exclusive franchise holder of Shake Shack in the Philippines. SFRI is a member of the SSI Group.
We were joined by Specialty Food Retailers Inc. general manager Joan Aquino, who shared that this is the first time that the Shack is collaborating with a female artist.
“Collaborating with local artist is part of Shake Shack’s DNA, that’s why, again, no two Shacks are the same,” explained Joan. “For the past years, we’ve been working mainly with male artists and Raxenne is a welcome addition.”
Young Guns 19 awardee Raxenne’s endemic flora and fauna artwork is also featured in various Shake Shack merch, exclusively available at its SM North EDSA branch.
Shake Shack comes to QC
The Quezon City branch is a long time coming for Shake Shack.
“There has been a clamor to open a branch this side of the metro,” shared Joan. “But we didn’t want to open shop just about everywhere just for the sake of opening. So, we were very deliberate in terms of choosing the location. Thank goodness, SM has converted this area, which used to be the cinemas, into a dining space. We’re happy that we got this!”
Northern folks like me can now satisfy our cravings for the Classic Shack, the Dark Meat Hot Chicken, the Concretes, shakes, and fries without having to drive all the way to SM Megamall or Greenbelt.
Early birds who lined up for hours before the opening joined in the Shack’s summer spectacle for limited-edition swag designed by Raxenne. They were also entertained by buskers and dancers.
“Aside from the interiors and exclusive merchandise, we’re also launching The Berry Bituin concrete, a sweet treat that will only be available at SM North EDSA,” enthused Joan. “We’ve also expanded the chicken line with the Chicken Bites.”
A playful take on Quezon City’s “City of the Stars” moniker and the Tagalog word for star (bituin), this vanilla frozen-custard dessert is blended with strawberry sauce and Auro chocolate chunks, topped with freeze-dried strawberries.
Also try the popular Apple Pie Oh My concrete, vanilla frozen custard blended with Tilde Bakery and Kitchen’s French Apple Pie.
Burger stand with a heart
As part of its mission to Stand for Something Good, Shake Shack is committed to supporting its local communities and sourcing real, premium ingredients.
A treat for a cause, 5% of the sales from any Pie Oh My concrete support CENTEX, Ayala Foundation’s holistic education program that promotes student, parent and teacher development from underserved Filipino communities.
What’s sweeter? The concrete’s frozen custard is made with real sugar, no corn syrup and milk from dairy farmers who pledge never to use artificial growth hormones.
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Shake Shack is on the second level of SM North EDSA.
