News- Location, Location, Location
This Article was originally published in Campus Dining Today (Winter 02/03 edition)
Location, Location, Location Relocation of the Think Tank coffee cart from one side of the University of Montana campus to another generated new business for dining services, tripled its daily sales volume from last year, and transformed a space left empty for 21 years into a bustling coffee shop that is now an integral part of the universitys south campus. In its original location within Mansfield Library, the Think Tanks foot traffic was moderate, coffee sales were slow, and, because the library did not allow the sale of food, profits were negligible. The new Think Tank, opened in September 2002, is in a turret-like building used as an exit for the underground Urey lecture hall, a space that has been vacant since 1981.
Just to make sure that this was a good spot, Dining Services staff conducted research by periodically raiding the garbage cans around the area. They found trashcans full of cups and wrappers from local area coffee and sandwich shops. Without the convenience of a nearby campus shop, students and faculty were forced to carry in.
With minor interior remodeling, a new façade, and tables, the new Think Tank offers hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, bakery goods, and snacks in prime real estate. Dr. Nabil Haddad, psychology department chair, commented, It not only is a great service for a lot of people in the south campus are, but it also took a space that, except for being an exit from the classroom, was totally useless and unused, and transformed it into a very good service to campus!
Submitted by Elliot Westwater, The University of Montana