Students break for coffee at King Cafe
Meal plans can be used at new on-campus eatery to purchase sandwiches, Starbucks
Michell Burwell
Issue date: 11/17/06 Section: Front Page
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However, few students were present for the opening.
The staff of the Department of Housing, Dining and Guest Services made an earlier decision not to advertise the cafe's opening. Unlike most typical grand openings, there were no flyers or signs distributed anywhere around campus publicizing the occasion.
"We're doing what's called a 'soft opening,'" said Dick Pettitt; associate dean,
associate librarian and special assistant to the provost. "We think people will begin to use (the cafe) as they discover it."
The cafe's baristas, who are primarily of Miami students, did not have to wait long for customers. By 10 a.m.Wednesday, news of the cafe's opening had started to spread, resulting in a steady flow of students, professors and Miami police officers who came in to try the new cafe.
As with any grand opening, housing and dining does expect that there will be a few
minor glitches.
"We certainly want to get students in and make adjustments," said Mike Mitroi,
assistant director of student dining for projects. "Once we get all of the little kinks out we will have a big grand opening celebration."
Student employees have been training for several weeks to ensure a smooth opening, and most seemed to have no doubt that the cafe would be a success. Employees are anticipating an upcoming rush in business - especially during finals week.
"(The cafe is) really convenient and I know it will really get crazy during finals week," said
sophomore Heather Darnell, a King Cafe employee.
The cafe offers a wide selection of both Uncle Phil's Sandwiches and Starbucks coffee. And unlike the Starbucks uptown, students are able to make purchases using their meal plans. In addition, the cafe is large enough to accommodate dozens of tables, which can be used for group studying.
One of the only complaints thus far seems to be the ongoing construction taking place in the basement of King Library, surrounding the cafe.
"I hope (the construction) is done soon because it cuts down on the ambiance of the cafe," Darnell said.
