Annie Rau ‘19:
In early September, students were informed of a new coffee bar to be implemented on campus. As months have passed with no sight of coffee being served, students are curious as to what happened to the promised new hot spot on campus.
The coffee bar originally was supposed to be in the alcove of senior lockers adjacent to the black box. However, this plan was quickly dismantled as plans for the reconstruction of the campus center were brought to the table. The coffee bar proposal was not pushed aside due to the plans for the campus center construction, but rather as an opportunity to create the ideal project the right way. “What has changed slightly is that with the changes that are going to happen in the campus center, we have these opportunities to really basically blow that whole idea out and do it right” says Mike Letts, interim Head of Upper School. The students are now being guaranteed coffee in the second semester in a currently unspecified location.
The inspiration for the coffee bar was presented by architect Sam Olshin, an Episcopal Academy alumnus. Olshin is also the architect who is responsible for the re-design of the Campus Center. Olshin thought of the idea to place the coffee bar where the current ticket booth is, in the Campus Center. “We talked to the art department and Dan Clay. We had to ask is it really being utilized in the way it could be.” The project was soon ready to be initiated.
However, there was one last obstacle to tackle: the frightened underclassmen entering a space deemed to be part of the senior territory. “This was partly my concern because I know that part of the theatre area is that it is a ‘senior space.’ The lounge is small, so naturally they spill out into those areas. Not because they are trying to annex these spaces but because you want the students to have space to work. I worry that the freshmen will not come over and get coffee because they will be too nervous walking into a ‘senior space,’” says Letts. In order to accomodate all students, there will need to be slight modifications to the space to provide a more comfortable and welcoming area.
With talk of the “all inclusive” meal plan being implemented next year a question regarding the profits of the new coffee bar arises. “Even if we switched to all in, the coffee bar would still be something you use a keypad for. There is talk about incorporating other things into the coffee bar, where you could buy these single items that are not included in an all in plan. You could get sushi, Honest Tea, pre-made sandwiches, coffee, or smoothies. These would be paid for through the debit system through the pin pad.” says Letts. The cost of this premium coffee would require installments from faculty as well. “They get free coffee in the faculty lounge and the Upper School lounge, so that wouldn’t change, but they would have to pay for the high end coffee provided at the bar. They would have to pay for it just as you guys have to pay for it” says Letts. As students return to campus after Christmas Break, hot beverages are guaranteed to meet them at the door.