Horton's Creates Convenience, But for a Cost

Horton's Creates Convenience, But for a Cost
Submitted by Jamie Wollberg on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 03:36

Tim Horton’s Café is adding some pep to the Purchase bookstore, but the convenience might not be worth the price for students.

According to the bookstore’s manager, Tiffany Yusko, the Purchase College Association put the Canadian coffee brand into the bookstore. The coffee dispensers can be found beside the small seating area of round tables that are stationed to the right side of the store.

There are both positive and negative aspects to the new caffeine dispensary. “It’s a lot more convenient to have a coffee joint right in the middle of campus,” said junior economics major Chris Carboni, who lives in The Commons. “It’s kind of tough for me to walk all the way to Starbucks sometimes.”

However, Tim Horton’s is not part of the meal plan. Senior Director of Dining Services Nick Mennillo said that he didn’t think that this would be a big issue. However, Yusko showed some concern. “Of course it’s going to take away from the business a little bit,” she said.

Some students agree with Yusko. “I don’t think it will be worth anyone’s time if it’s not on the meal plan because a lot of people don’t really have money,” said senior Spanish language and culture major Joshua Nielson.

Others are more focused on the location. “Since it’s closer, I will probably go to the bookstore more often,” said the Chair of the Senate Brittany Mayes. “Starbucks is just such an inconvenient walk.”

Yusko said that if business goes well then it would be worth it to add other items to the café, such as sandwiches. Adding other food products would mean the store would have to put in more work to get coolers, and involve health and safety. “It was a lot of work getting that stuff and equipment in here,” she said.

According to students, Tim Horton’s hasn’t been advertised well enough because many were unaware of the change. “Not everyone is going to catch that e-mail,” said Nielson. “They may think that it’s spam or something.”

But not all Purchase students were uninformed. Major Student Activities Coordinator for the Purchase Student Government Association Taylor Gesel said he was enthusiastic about the new addition. “It’s fantastic,” he said. “I love Tim Horton’s.”