Caption: Dr. Wetzel purchases a cup of coffee from grill worker Rebekah Abbott.
Photo credit: Syd Bickers
By: Syd Bickers
The same premium coffee in the familiar white cups with a smiling green siren is now sold cheaper on campus than at the Johnson City Starbucks.
Pioneer College Caterers brought Starbucks to the Milligan grill during spring break. A tall coffee at the grill matches Starbucks’ at $1.81, but the $2.03 grande and $2.14 venti are cheaper.
“When I first became president, I met with Pioneer to talk about future possibilities. One of those possibilities was serving Starbucks’ coffee in the grill,” said President Bill Greer.
Greer met with a Pioneer representative February 15 and decided to bring Starbucks to campus by the close of spring break. A sign with the Starbucks mermaid under the words “We Proudly Serve” hung in the main hall of the Student Union Building upon student’s return.
No baristas are mixing up drinks behind the counter, but three different types of basic coffees are offered in self-service air-pots. The current choices are Pike Place, Café Verona and decaf House Blend. Milk and sugar are available. Eight different Tazo tea sachets are served in the three sizes for an average of 46 cents cheaper.
The coffee is exactly the same as that served in a Starbucks shop with the exception of price. A Starbucks representative was sent to campus to train Assistant Director of Foodservice Corey Edmundson in the art of percolation. Edmundson then trained Grill Manager Robert Raines.
“Starbucks is very precise about everything it does,” said Mark Henry, director of foodservice. “That’s why we get the exact flavor.”
Starbucks representative Arnold Baldwin was contacted but would not speak on behalf of the company.
All satellite stores are required to purchase brewers with a special water filter to ensure consistency. Coffee grounds are premeasured, and the coffee cannot be kept in air-pots over two hours.
Director of Property and Risk Management Brent Nipper said Milligan purchased the equipment for around $1,500 with “donated funds designated for the foodservice experience.” This includes the brewer, three air-pots and signage. Nipper has not received the invoice.
Milligan will not profit from the drinks sold.
The three air-pots are covered in removable wraps that display the type of coffee they hold. Henry says he would be happy to order different blends upon students’ requests, if the styles are available through Sysco food distributors.
Raines says students have been receptive.
Sophomore Thad Higgins goes to the Johnson City Starbucks “several times a week,” but Wednesday morning he was in the grill doctoring up a cup of coffee.
“The Starbucks here is black coffee, which is not what I normally buy,” Thad said as he “destroyed” his coffee with milk and seven packets of sugar. “I get their white chocolate mocha.”
Dr. Robert Wetzel came to get a morning cup of coffee on Wednesday.
“Why spend 50 cents for coffee when you can spend two bucks for Starbucks?” said Wetzel.
Greer hopes to see more additions to the foodservice.
“We’re talking about other things we might do in terms of food service in the future – but I can’t talk about those just yet – they are still in the planning stages. So, over time, expect to see more changes and increased options for campus dining,” said Greer.
Coffee and Tea Prices:
Tall – $1.81
Grande – $2.03
Venti – $2.14
Flavors of Tazo Tea:
-Awake
-Earl Grey
-Zen
-Lotus
-Wild Sweet Orange
-Refresh
-Calm
-Organic Chai
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