As the first customers of the ? Café ordered lattes and chai tea on Monday afternoon, Marcia Bromberg, Vice President for Finance and Administration, cut a ribbon in a café opening ceremony.
The Aramark-run café on the first floor of the Science Tower was created because of students expressing the need for more dining options in the Science Tower, according to Jillian Wanik, Marketing Manager in Campus Dining. Aramark set up the café with the help of Pura Vida Coffee, a company that specializes in Fair Trade and organic coffees. All drinks are Pura Vida, but the food is made by Aramark.
According to Wanik, Campus Dining picked Pura Vida because of student concerns related to social consciousness, particularly on Fair Trade, organic products and not-for-profit organizations.
Pura Vida Coffee is a funding source for Pura Vida Partners, a charity that does work primarily in Costa Rica, according to Krissy Maier, a Quality Assurance Manager for Pura Vida. 100% of Pura Vida Coffee’s profits fund programs involving education and training in countries that grow coffee. The company also claims to follow Fair Trade practices.
“As a bonus we make a great cup of coffee,” Maier said.
According to Maier, Pura Vida has raised nearly $500,000 for its cause.
The café, named ? after a decision by the WSA, is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday thru Thursday, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. So far the café has been getting positive feedback from students.
“I think it’s fabulous, and it is quickly sending me along the path to a caffeine addiction. I’m definitely a fan,” said Gwyneth Harrison-Shermoen ’05.
The drink menu includes espressos, lattes, teas, and hot chocolate among other options. The prices average around $2.50 for a small size. The coffee bar is also stocked with flavor syrups, including sugar free ones, made by Folklore, a company that uses all natural ingredients, according to Maier. The tea is supplied by Choice, a Fair Trade company, and the chocolate used in mochas and the hot chocolate is also Fair Trade. The chocolate is made by Dagova.
“This is a big deal,” Maier said. “A lot of places don’t have Fair Trade chocolate.”
Aramark is also serving an assortment of fruit, muffins, pastries and cookies, along with salads and “Euro baguette” sandwiches. According to Wanik, the sandwich selection will include four different options per week, with at least one vegetarian option. The sandwiches are priced at $5.29. Wanik also said that the café was trying to bring over some vegan wraps from the First Harvest Café in the Campus Center. The café will also be selling pies from Lyman Orchards.
? Café will eventually have three computer stations with Internet access, although the stations are not yet set up.
According to Wanik, Aramark has already hired around 19 students, who have been trained over the last week to make the drinks.
The Café has replaced Manslow’s Cart, which was intended to be temporary until the café could be put in. Joe LaChance, Food Service Director at the Campus Center, has been helping with the setup, training, and ordering of materials.
“I didn’t drink coffee until Sunday,” he said. “I think I’ve had five or six today.”
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