Believe it or not, there are good things that come from the construction that happens literally all over campus. Through with sawdust filled walks to class to the mind-numbing traffic when all you want to do get your groceries, we've seen some pretty great additions (but seriously, we want Rose St. back).
One of these campus enhancements is the brand new Starbucks located in Willy T. Library. As good as an Ovid's spicy beef wrap sounded while late night studying, you have to admit, those lines sucked. This 6,300 square foot coffee lounge, which features a patio seating area, is the biggest Starbucks in the state, so now you have something to brag about when you order your first pumpkin spice latte of the season. And now you won't have to fight colder weather just to get some coffee; this new Starbucks has a special new entrance that goes from the Starbucks straight into the library for convenience. I got a chance to talk with UK Dining's director of marketing, Charity Bradley, to get the inside scoop on the newest craze to campus. Read on to see what I learned and be sure it check it out for yourself!
1. What makes this new Starbuck's so different and unique compared to the others on and surrounding campus?
The new Starbucks in the William T. Young Library is the largest Starbucks on a college campus. This Starbucks is “uniquely UK”, featuring a wall of historic photos that ties in the traditions and history of the university with the new, contemporary look.
This Starbucks is different from a traditional Starbucks because it has “3 engines”, meaning that it has enough equipment to run three of almost everything at the same time (espresso machines, etc). This enhances the customer experience by decreasing wait times, allowing students more time to sit and study with friends or relax after class.
This Starbucks features the new Starbucks sandwiches, salads, paninis, and hot breakfast menu selections, and those items are made on campus at the library.
2. How do you think the new atmosphere will affect student life?
A big focus of the university is on building community. The new Starbucks in the library does that, and much more. With 6300 square feet of interior space, Starbucks has areas large enough to accommodate study groups while still feeling like a cozy place you can sit down and relax with a friend. It has a neighborhood atmosphere that you want to visit.
We now have more space to offer programming events like Study Sounds with Student Activities Board, guitarists, and coffee tastings.
Starbucks is always known for giving its customers a “third place” between going to class or work and home.
3. With all the new changes coming on campus such as the dorms and The 90, why was Starbuck's chosen as one of its main enhancements?
The dining area in the William T. Young Library, formerly a small Starbucks and crowded Ovid’s Cafe, was identified as an area that needed a significant renovation as part of the overall transformation of campus dining. This massive renovation into allowed dining to relocate Ovid’s, a student favorite, to a new, open area with a retail storefront. The renovation also took one of the students’ most recognizable brands, Starbucks, and made it a true destination.
While the Student Center renovation is underway, the other places on campus that give students a place to meet and build community are more important than ever. The new Starbucks at the William T. Young Library came to the University of Kentucky at the perfect time.
4. What do you think is the most exciting aspect about the new renovation?
The most exciting aspect is the aesthetics. The restaurant really is beautiful. Walking through the new Starbucks you find yourself pausing to look at the little details like the wall of historic photos, expertly chosen from the university’s archives for this space. It is a wonderful enhancement to William T. Young Library, a state-of-the-art facility with a heavy volume of traffic around the clock.
Other exciting aspects of the new Starbucks at the William T. Young Library are the new food program, a more easily accessible entrance from the main parts of the library into the Starbucks, as well as more areas for people to get together, which enhances the “community” aspect of campus life.
