New coffee shop sees few customers

While 251 North attracts droves of students each night, the university's newest on-campus shop has struggled to garner a solid customer base — and Dining Services officials said the slow business has them worried.

Although officials said they thought Cool Beans, the coffee and ice cream shop sandwiched between 251 North and the 24 Shop in the Denton Community, would attract students just leaving the diner, they have seen little business since the shop opened at the start of the semester. While some students said they often leave 251 North — an all-you-can-eat diner that recently garnered national attention in The Washington Post for its innovative spin on student dining — officials said they plan to host social events such as open mic nights and extend the shop's hours in hopes of luring more students starting next week.

Cool Beans' purpose is to provide another option for students who cannot go to 251 North — since North Campus residents are only allotted one meal there per week — and want more than what the 24 Shop has to offer, according to Dining Services Director of Communications Bart Hipple. Students can use Terp Bucks, Terrapin Express, cash or credit at the shop, but they cannot use their dining points.

Hipple said he thought students would enjoy the shop since its menu offers what the buffet lacks: gourmet coffee, ice cream, additional desserts and six flavors of ice cream from The Dairy with 19 topping options.

"We thought there would be an additional demand in that community," Hipple said. "But, so far, students just are not going."

Though officials said they aren't sure why Cool Beans hasn't enjoyed a steady flow of business, they said students may see it as an unnecessary service.

"The experience at 251 North is pretty comprehensive," Director of Dining Services Colleen Wright-Riva said. "[Students] are coming out of there full and not wanting any ice cream."

"If you don't want to spend the $18 [for an extra 251 North trip] you can still get a sandwich for a reasonable price here," Hipple said.

But because the location and existing menu haven't been enough to attract students, officials have revamped their efforts by extending the shop's operating hours and using it as a venue for social gatherings.

"I imagined it being more like the coffee shop in ‘Friends,' a place where people can come and hang out," Wright-Riva said. "We probably need to survey some students and get feedback from them."

Wright-Riva also said officials may have to spice up the menu to jumpstart the business.

"Sushi has been suggested, crepes have been suggested and so has adding more ice cream," she said. "It may morph into something else; we'll just have to listen to what students tell us."

Some students said between the 24-hour convenience store and all-you-can-eat buffet, they see little need for an additional shop.

"I think that it's competing with the buffet," said junior English and French major Lauren Daly. "More people want to go to that since it has more options."

Other students said longer business hours may increase the customer base since students will have more time to go.

"It just never occurred to me to come here," sophomore government and politics major Lindy Bernhardt said while passing through to enter 251 North. "If people come here at night and see they have ice cream, that might help."

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