The Johnsonian

Issue date: 2/28/07 Section: Lifestyles

With only fifteen minutes before your next class, Java City is screaming your name as you are looking for a caffeine fix followed by a bite of anything other than Thomson cafeteria food.

Although the location of Winthrop's on-campus coffee shop is convenient, many students are left thirsty for more and claiming the location is the only good thing about Java City.

"The bagels are lacking and the amount of time it takes for Java City to make a cup of coffee is ridiculous," Elijah Abram, a sophomore history major, said. "All I will drink is the café mocha and the white mocha. I would like to see more flavors. We need a close-by coffee shop."

Although some feel that Java City is lacking in some areas, students are left without other convenient choices for a specialty cup of coffee. While Rock Hill has dozens of places that can provide a latte, none are within a mile from Winthrop, which leaves few options for students without cars.

"I definitely think we do need something somewhere close that isn't Java City," April Williams, a sophomore music major, said. "Java City is an okay place on campus. I love to go there in between classes, but I definitely think that there could be something better. [I would like] something that involves art, live music, maybe a poetry reading every now and then-that whole cliché coffee shop atmosphere."

Starbucks is the closest chain coffee shop to Winthrop, but their location on Riverchase Boulevard is still 3.8 miles from campus. Despite the drive, or the fact there is an on-campus coffee shop, '05 Winthrop alumnus and Starbucks employee Stephen Douvros said the store still gets plenty of Winthrop business.

"You'll see a lot of Winthrop stickers as students pull through the drive-thru before and after class," Douvros said. "It's just a stop to some people or a place to meet or just somewhere for quiet study time. We get a lot of study groups around exam time."

Students were hopeful this past year when Caffino announced plans to move into the Church's Chicken lot and build the first ever sit-down Caffino. However, these plans were never fulfilled and the restaurant Taco Bueno will soon make its debut in the location.

Although Caffino tried to gain Winthrop business by promising quick delivery and offering coupons to thousands of students last semester, the coffee shop is still miles from campus and gives virtually no competition for students looking for a quick cup of coffee between classes.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools