Just in time for the Spring 2017 semester, the University of Maine at Presque Isle will be offering up something new at the request of its students: Starbucks in the Owl’s Nest, located in the Campus Center. Sodexo Dining Services, the food service on campus, will be operating a Starbucks “We Proudly Serve” program consisting of blended drinks, espressos and fresh brewed coffee.
“We’ve worked with Sodexo to establish this service on our campus at the express requests of our students,” Chris Bell, UMPI Campus Operations Officer, said. “Our student body has long asked for a real coffee shop on campus so we’re proud to now have one right in our student café and lounge, the Owl’s Nest.”
Starbucks in the Owl’s Nest opens for the Spring semester on Tuesday, Jan. 17, though campus was able to get a sneak peek of its offerings when the space was open for two weeks at the end of the Fall 2016 semester, just after Thanksgiving through finals week.
In addition to the fresh Starbucks coffee drinks—from caramel macchiatos to frappucinos—the cafe will be offering upscale sandwiches, panino, salads, fresh made pastries and bottled beverages. Dan Roy, Sodexo Resident District Manager, said that the Owl’s Nest will also provide students with a late night dining option that will include classic favorites like Maine Local Burger from Central Maine Meats and chicken wings.
“Responding directly to student feedback is important to both Sodexo and the University of Maine at Presque Isle,” Roy said. “We’re glad to include Starbucks as one of the amenities on this campus.”
The Owl’s Nest has undergone a significant renovation in order to house the new offering, from a new look—complete with the traditional Starbucks logo above the counter—to the addition of a bakery case and a Verismo Espresso Machine. According to its website, Starbucks has been serving its coffee and establishing coffeehouses for more than 40 years. It now has more than 20,000 stores worldwide and more than 70 million retail customers per week.
“As a campus we’ve tried to listen and be responsive to the needs of our students, whether it’s including laundry as part of their room and board so they don’t have to worry about quarters for the washers and dryers or setting up a coffee shop that’s just a 30-second walk from their dorm rooms,” UMPI President Ray Rice said. “We look forward to having this exciting new space serve our students both during the day and as part of our Late Night offerings.”
“As Student Government President, I am personally very excited about having a Starbucks on our campus and appreciative that campus officials felt it was important to provide it to our student body,” Daria Wozmak said. “It’s great to finally be able to grab a Starbucks Frappuccino or a latte right here on campus when we need it.”
Hours of operation for the new space will be Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (official Late Night hours are 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.), Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed on Saturday, and on Sunday from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
