By Hannah Shirey ’23, assistant editor
Between mask-wearing, virtually attending events and quarantining, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how students live and learn. Yet, it’s the fact that LVC now serves Starbucks coffee that has students talking.
For as long as most LVC students can remember, Bishop Brews, the coffee shop in the Vernon & Doris Bishop Library, and InterMetzo, the coffee shop in the Clyde A. Lynch Memorial Hall, served Peet’s Coffee. Ordering hot or iced coffee drinks topped with whip cream and drizzle was a part of many LVC students’ daily routines.
However, this school year, a surprise greeted LVC students. Bishop Brews and InterMetzo will now serve Starbucks coffee.
The reasoning behind the shift from Peet’s Coffee to Starbucks isn’t extremely clear, but Sherry Brandt, a barista at InterMetzo, explained that students were requesting Starbucks coffee on campus.
“We’re happy the students are happy,” Brandt said. “Although it is a big change, we will catch on quickly.”
Starbucks has been quite a hit thus far, with business at InterMetzo and Bishop Brews on an upward trend. Brandt says the most popular drink order has been the iced caramel macchiato.
Students can purchase Starbucks drinks from InterMetzo and Bishop Brews using their flex dollars, cash or card.
“I definitely prefer Starbucks coffee, and I am much more familiar with their menu,” Denise McMaster, a junior economics major, said.
Both locations still serve other food and accept meal exchanges Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. InterMetzo also does dinner meal exchanges Monday – Thursday from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
“I am just really happy they still serve the breakfast sandwiches,” McMaster said.
InterMetzo and Bishop Brews are still run by mostly the same staff too, despite the jump from Peet’s Coffee to Starbucks.
“I am so glad it’s the same staff, they are so sweet, and they are there for me every morning when I get my coffee,” McMaster said.
Brandt’s favorite Starbucks drink is the mocha Frappuccino, while McMaster’s favorite is the white mocha latte.