As classes begin again, the line at the Bean Caffe in the Schmitt Academic Center is long with cold students looking for a warm drink, but there’s something new and it’s not the year.
Over winter break, the Bean was completely remodeled in just a few weeks. The plans, which have been in place since last April, included a new cold snack section, menus and other signage. The front features a green mosaic and a print of grass blades, giving the Bean a lively, healthy vibe.
“I think it’s more visually appealing, more modern,” junior Isabel Hickerson said. “I think it looks out of place in the SAC because the SAC is outdated, but it was a good improvement.”
“The new refrigerator is a huge improvement. I enjoy being able to sort through the wraps and salads to find the one I want,” Madi Schroeder, a DePaul freshman said. “Also, there is a much wider selection of foods than last quarter due to the larger size. That being said, I don’t believe it made ordering any faster. There are often still long lines.”
Lauren Ballewske, an employee at the Bean for over a year and a half, said that they have been busier, which could be due to the colder weather or the Starbucks inside Dominick’s closing, but from behind the counter, the remodeling was a long time coming.
“We didn’t have a lot of space. It was very tight back here,” she said. “It’s taken some getting used to so we’re all a little thrown off because things are in different places, but there’s more room to breathe.”
“The Bean was remodeled to increase customer choices and speed of service,” Joe Mroczkowski, the director of student centers at DePaul, said. “The finishes and lighting were also updated because it’s been approximately five years since that was done.”
Ballewske also added that there are no new drinks, but there is a new sandwich: chicken parmesan. “We call it the TJ Special after TJ (who works at the Bean at the Ray).” She hopes it will begin a rotation of new food and drink choices that baristas make up.
To celebrate the reopening of the SAC location, students could participate in free food and drink sampling, pick up free Bean Caffe swag and could enter to win Bean gift cards, free food/drink coupons and the grand prize – a personal tour of the roastery at Metropolis Coffee.
“It’s important to know that the work done to The Bean was not paid for by student or University funds,” Mrocekowski said. “It was paid by The Bean.”
There are no plans to remodel the Bean Caffe in the Ray.
Along with their updated look, the Bean is featuring new winter drink specials: a double chocolate mocha, the sweetheart shake and a vanilla chai.