Sodexo will soon bring Starbucks to Lee’s campus
Photo by John David Clark.
Lee University and Sodexo are collaborating on a remodel of the Paul Conn Student Union (PCSU) — one that involves the exit of Jazzman’s and the introduction of the popular coffee chain Starbucks.
Chris Conine, vice president for business and finance, explains Lee decided to pursue these changes after seeing students venture off campus to get their daily cup of coffee.
“I have sons at Lee who are seniors who drive past Dunkin’ Donuts, past Jazzman’s, past Sandella’s and go to Starbucks,” Conine said. “I’ve noticed this over years. If it happens in my sons’ lives, it happens in many students’ lives. We looked into [bringing in] Starbucks, and it just worked out.”
The remodel, which is scheduled to begin in May, will involve a complete makeover of the PCSU. Students should expect new carpet, seating and a fully renovated Chick-fil-A that will resemble the restaurant’s off-campus look.
“One addition with the PCSU is that we are freshening up the whole floor,” Conine said. “We are going to gut the main floor so it will have new carpet, new seating, new lighting and new paint. New tables and chairs for the dining area, too. So, it is going to look brand-new in there.”
While Jazzman’s will not be visually represented in its usual corner of the PCSU, General Manager for Sodexo Bruce Reed emphasized the pastries and other products will remain unchanged.
“Jazzman’s is a Sodexo brand, but we’re going to change it over to a Starbucks,” Reed said. “We will still have pastries and other options, but the coffee and drinks will be Starbucks. The smoothie and drinks will still be Island Oasis.”
Lee’s Communication Arts building is also expected to welcome a compact Starbucks that will join Sandella’s as a more convenient option for students on the other side of campus.
“With Sandella’s, we have so many students on the south side of campus,” Conine said. “There is going to be a second Starbucks concept — much smaller — within Sandella’s.”
Junior education major Bailey Anderson is sad to see the departure of Jazzman’s but excited for the new additions to campus.
“While I will miss Jazzman’s greatly, I think the opportunity to add a Starbucks is the right move,” Anderson said. “Most students leave campus for the coffee anyway; now they don’t have to go anywhere but the PCSU.”
This renovation has a start date of May 10, with plans to be ready for incoming and returning students on move-in day in the fall.
