The new Starbucks Coffee in the J.D. Williams Library at the UNiversity of Mississippi is almost twice the size of the old coffee shop, with seating for 70 people. UM photo by Nathan Latil.
OXFORD, Miss. – Just in time to welcome fall with pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin scones, a new full-service Starbucks Coffee opened recently in the University of Mississippi’s J.D. Williams Library.
After a semester-long market research project, Ole Miss Dining decided to expand the former Java City location and convert it to a Starbucks.
“Since our market research was the driving force behind our decision to convert the Java City into a Starbucks, I am confident that this will be a positive addition that will better accommodate our growing and changing student population,” said Josh Halliday, marketing programs manager for Ole Miss Dining.The convenient location and extra space have students buzzing.
“I really enjoy having Starbucks on campus and having it conveniently located in the library,” said Brittany Grissett, a senior communicative disorders major from Biloxi. “I think it adds a lot to our university and definitely to my study time.”
The old Java City was approximately 750 square feet, and the Starbucks is almost twice that size. The expanded space seats 70 people, 56 more than the original coffee shop. This addition to the library seems to have filled a growing demand. In its first week of service, the Starbucks served nearly 6,000 customers.
The larger seating area provides space for students to meet with classmates, discuss projects and homework questions, or simply to take a study break and not have to leave the building.
“The new Starbucks is great because it helps eliminate the need for me to fight the long lines at the Union,” said Alex Edwards, a sophomore art major from Canton, Ohio.
The new store’s expanded offerings are appealing to the students who live on campus because they not only can get any specialty drink they want, but can order a variety of snacks as well. While the Student Union location focuses on fast service and a limited menu, the library Starbucks offers a full selection ranging from coffee and frozen beverages to pastry treats and baked goods.
“The new Starbucks not only has a great atmosphere for studying or just chatting with friends, but also a fast and friendly staff who are ready to help you get your caffeine fix for the day,” said Kayleigh Webb, a sophomore English major from Biloxi.
The library Starbucks is open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and 1-10 p.m. Sundays.