The coffeehouse has been popular since it opened in August.
By Nina Laureano ’12
With the grounds and building renovations Stetson worked on this summer, which made the campus even more intriguing and beautiful than it already was, came the establishment of the new coffeehouse in the heart of campus. Having Starbucks products and the same ambiance as most Starbucks shops, the coffeehouse is an excellent addition to campus and is favored by many students, including myself.
Study, chat or just relax at the coffeehouse.
Now in my third year here at Stetson University, I have witnessed quite a few changes, most of which have resulted in positive outcomes. Considering the coffee shops we’ve had in the past, and the survival rate, I believe the new coffeehouse was definitely a desired necessity.
My first year on campus, we had a kiosk located in the Quad which served Starbucks products. It was in the center of everything, and seemed like a great idea, but it did have a few flaws. The hours conflicted with most students’ study schedule, it closed rather early, and the lack of room for more than one or two machines made it difficult to grab a coffee when rushing to class.
Last year, we also had Stetson Station in addition to the kiosk. This shop had coffee, as well as books, magazines, tables and snacks. It also had a delivery service. The reason it didn’t survive was location and lack of awareness. It was located past the LBC, the Lynn Business Center, which was out of the way for many students.
The new coffeehouse is located in the CUB (Carlton Union Building), right next to the Commons, which is a great central location for all students. The ambiance is comforting and great for studying, especially since it is open until 2 a.m. — later than even the library. It also has books, games, TVs, couches, tables, and food including sushi from a local restaurant, making it a great place to hang out and relax.
Nina Laureano is a junior from Texas who is majoring in Marketing at Stetson University.
Did you know?
- The coffeehouse occupies the space formerly occupied by the Registrar’s Office, which has been moved to Elizabeth Hall. Read about the many office relocations that took part during Summer 2010.
- Office relocations and a recent campus landscape upgrade were part of SU’s Capital Improvements Projects. The Capital Improvements website tracked changes as they were taking place.
I remember the old Hat Rack from the sixties, next to the post office then. Would love to see that name revived again for this new, and lovely, coffee shop.
Does anyone remember “The Cellar Door” coffeehouse in the basement of the old Counseling Center on the edge of the Forest of Arden?? We had some GOOd times there!! Where is the new coffeehouse?? Is it where the “Hat Rack” used to be?? Or inside the CUB??
Carolyn Dial
Class of 1971
We have had many alumni tell us about “The Cellar Door”. We actually tried to reopen it for Homecoming a few years ago but due to fire codes, etc. it wasn’t reasonable to do that. The Cellar Door is just a basement and our Marketing Department is upstairs.
The new office shop is in the CUB where the registrar’s office has been for the past 10+ years. When you first walk into the CUB and go straight past the restrooms, you will find the Coffee Shop. I think in the 70s it was a student lounge.
Hatrack is still the Hatrack with an Einstein Bagel and a Grill that makes sandwiches.
The Coffee Shop is reason alone to come to Homecoming. It’s very cool.
In the late 60′s, the coffee shop was located where the current bagel shop(?) is located in the CUB. When I went to homecoming in 2009, I was disappointed to find that you could not even buy coffee at that location anymore and the available seating had been reduced.
It was a great place to get a quick coffee in the morning and meet with friends late into the evening. That place was named the “Hat Rack”.
Great article Nina… I feel like I am there sipping on some java studying!
The coffee house could be called “THE HAT SHACK”! It has been decades since the “HATTER”, located in the patio outside the post office, was destroyed by a group of road trip students from another university. Isn’t it way past time to replace it???
The coffee house needs a cool name! I hope students and alumni have a chance to participate in the naming.
By the way, I visited the coffee house a couple of months ago and the space is amazing. I heard that it was furnished using vintage items stored in the Sage Hall basement or sourced from local antique/thrift shops. I noticed an old door from the chapel being used as art on one of the walls. Would love to hear more about that!
Coffee House names – The Hatter or Top Hat. Good Luck!
It is a cool space and needs a cool name like “the brim”
The brim… nice double entendre! Remember that nasty instant coffee from the ’70s called “Brim”?
“Fill it to the rim with Brim”… hopefully Stetson’s coffee is a little better