- The Record Archives
- Volume CXVIII, No. XX - November 10, 2005 - opinion
Clemens Perk serves up coffee and convenience
Editorial staff
Let's face it — these days, the only thing college students crave more than Facebook is coffee. We physically need it, and the less distance we have to travel to get it, the better.
Starting Monday, Clemens Perk made it more convenient for us to jolt ourselves awake in the morning.
The only way it could be any easier is if wait staff rollerbladed from dorm room to apartment taking orders. Anyone willing to take up that project?
Really though, the fact that students can stop at the coffee shop before or after they're on the bus is beneficial. Late nights at the library can be made less painful with a quick walk to get a steaming latte or a piping-hot cup of organic coffee, and we don't even have to go outdoors.
The project originated out of an entrepreneurial studies class last year through the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship. Four students, Nicole Lindgren, Blake Heymans, Chelsey Jo Huisman and Derick Dehmer, now managers, work long hours without pay to make Clemens Perk as successful as possible.
They presented their business plan to the administration, worked through a budget, experienced hiring and motivating a staff, and are now working to perfect customer service. It wasn't always easy — in fact, their plan was rejected several times before they were given the go-ahead.
Like O'Connell's, Clemens Perk is an establishment designed for and run by CSB/SJU students, and Clemens Perk is sure to become a household name on campus.
For a quick drink, the walk-up window is convenient. Although it has very limited seating inside, it's worth stopping by — the bright-colored walls show sophistication, and the photos from students' study abroad trips demonstrate our global awareness.
The students could not have launched Clemens Perk without support from the college. In yet another positive investment, the St. Ben's Senate gave the group a $5,000 grant. The administration was wise to give students a chance to pursue their business ambitions by offering a loan.
The investments in this venture represent the kind of bold action that should be taken by students, the senates and the administration more often.
Some students have expressed concern that Clemens Perk is unnecessary competition for O'Connell's. In some sense, competition is inevitable, but that doesn't seem to be the new coffee shop's intent. Students cannot use flex points at Clemens Perk, which dims some financial concerns for O'Connell's.
At the same time, each has a unique atmosphere and attracts students for different reasons.
At the end of the day, a little competition isn't such a bad thing. It can inspire both Clemens Perk and O'Connell's to be creative with their marketing strategies and to really strive to perfect their products.
Of course, no matter how ambitious the staff is, student support for Clemens Perk is critical for its success. We should always recognize our classmates' accomplishments, even if in this case that just means buying a cup of coffee.