Beakers : Hard-deadline Article

Kate Murphy

Writing Assignment #9

11-1-12

            The morning brew can be seen as essential in the college student’s life. Long nights of studying and early classes cause students to desire that caffeine fix. Changes have been made to how students and staff can get their cup of Joe. Java Express at the Port in Tower Hall was closed last June, but even so, coffee will never leave the lives of The College of St. Scholastica. The new coffee shop, Beakers, located in the newly added Science Atrium, will be able to provide the daily grind that college students crave.

            “Beakers provides more space and has a lot more options,” Ali Dosh, senior, student supervisor and barista at St. Scholastica said. “We have coffee but we also have food, such as salad, soup, and sushi. Beakers is similar to Storm’s, but we have fresher options, almost like a market pantry.”

            Beakers was named after the cylindrical glass container used for laboratory work that all Science majors are familiar with, adding a little humor to a college campus coffee shop. Standing in line, you notice the banner above the cash register. The title of Beakers is proudly displayed, as well as a cup of coffee with the molecular composition of caffeine; a perfect quirk correlating with its new location.

            Even though the coffee shop has moved from Tower to Science, it doesn’t mean that avid coffee drinkers can’t get their daily fix. Storm’s Den allows students, especially Tower majors to grab their favorite drink. Now students can decide between Tower and Science for where to get their coffee, and Tower majors are willing to go the distance.

            “I think Beakers is great,” John McPherson, a senior and advertising and public relations major at CSS said. “Even though I am not a science or health science major, I have two classes in Science. And it’s really not that far of a walk.”

            There has been an overwhelming praise for Beakers. A new location, new choices, and a new atmosphere have caused people to flock over and try out the facility.

            “It’s a lot better and I have noticed that people agree,” Dosh said. “Tower people can go to Storm’s for convenience, but I have noticed that after moving to Science we still have our loyal customers as well as the addition of people curious to check Beakers out.”

            Dosh noted that when she worked at Java Express, the café was placed in the corner and there were no windows. All of that has changed with the new Science addition.

            “I really like the atmosphere,” McPherson said. “There is open space, windows and a great seating area.”

            The coffee shop atmosphere has been enhanced, and with that enhancement, the food has as well.           

            “When we were in the Port, we had pre-wrapped cookies,” Dosh said. “Now, the cookies are made fresh and fresh daily. We have so many food options. It’s still a grab-and-go kind of place, and we still take cash, check, or Dining Dollars. But the food is just so much fresher.”

            Fresh food, open atmosphere, and an amazing view of the campus make drinking that cappuccino with a shot of French vanilla a little sweeter. Beakers hopes in the near future to add an electronic menu for students and staff to look at while waiting in line.

            With all of these changes to the CSS campus, students still have the urge to get their sugar high or caffeine fix. Whether you are a loyal customer or just need a quick jolt before your 8 in the morning class, Beakers can be one place on campus to get your daily grind.