The Capital Grounds opened its doors Monday morning with an event celebrating the new space. This spot now offers Crimson Cup coffee and Aramark grab-and-go food options as well as a comfortable study environment.
Eager to see the new space, students, faculty, and staff lined up outside the doors. The setup between the entry ways in Saylor-Ackermann included flowers, coffee, danishes, parfaits, and made-to-order strawberry or chocolate crepes.
Just before the opening at 9 a.m., Mike Horan, Capital’s vice president of finance, made a few remarks regarding the excitement for the new space. He commented that the old space was not being used to it’s “full potential”. Jackie Niese, Student Government president, cut the ribbon for the official opening of Capital Grounds .
As attendees filed in, they were given ceramic Capital Ground travel mugs. With these mugs, patrons will be able to get 99 cent drip coffee all throughout the fall semester. There was also a raffle that offered chances to win prizes, such as Capital t-shirts, blankets, beanies, and Capital Bucks.
The space itself provides several different seating options, numerous electrical outlets that will be useful when students need to charge their devices, and an overall modern cafe environment.
“I think it is going to be a cool place to study,” said senior Craig Juricka.
“It will be a nice casual space that gives students an area outside of another eatery or the library or their room to hang out in,” said Eugene Walters, the district marketing manager at Aramark Higher Education.
The installation of Capital Grounds will also fix the traffic jam issue many typically face when cutting through Saylor-Ackermann.
Stephen Ball, a sophomore, said, “I think it is a lot more practical than it was before, now that everything is in here and not out in the hallway. It is a lot smarter.”
“We are hoping it re-energizes this important pass-through space,” said Mary Ellen Borchers, Capital’s director of Business Services.
“It is near to the academic buildings, we will have extended hours, and it brings a wider variety of options for students,” Borchers said.
Capital Grounds is expected to be an improvement from the old situation, while providing excellent amenities for all of those involved in the Capital family.
“I think this is a really cool space for the entire Capital community,” said Walters.
