8 10 Café
Challenge:
Let’s go ahead and say what we’ve all been thinking: the 8:10 Café is a pretty dismal place. In this dark cave, you can find uneven chairs, sticky tables, the hypnotic drone of CNBC, and if you’re in luck at lunch time, the smell of overcooked Mexican lasagna being burnt in the microwave. There is nothing about this room that is a “Café”.
Client:
An obvious choice: Jimmy Chen. Currently, he eats lunch in the café daily, but as quickly as possible to avoid the noise, smell, and general discomfort that is brought on by prolonged exposure to this venue.
Goal:
Develop a place that people have a desire to spend more time in, or at the very least, add a feature that would make Jimmy Chen’s 8:10 experience a little less miserable.
Concepts:
- Panini Press- There’s few pleasures with the current 8:10 experience, but after this innovation, you could at least have a warm sandwich. For anyone who ever was the recipient of a Panini press as a gift, these wonderful machines are first met with doubt. Could a press really make my turkey sandwich any better? I like my PBJ as is, why do I need it warm? Once you try one of these, you understand the revolution. Our only concern is how to keep this clean.
- “Free” Coffee- At Owen, we pride ourselves on our culture and communal feel. At the same time, we work hard and are fueled by caffeine. We can address this need for coffee by having students bring fresh grinds and store them at the 8:10. We would keep this pot running and, when low, someone simply refills it with the grinds that other students have brought. Yes some people might mooch, but if this atmosphere is really as collaborative as we claim, this could be a success.
- Air Fresheners- What better way to get rid of the classic “8:10 smell” than a Glade Woodland Grove air freshener? Keep these guys plugged in, perhaps turning up the dial during the lunchtime rush, and everyone’s experience would be a bit better.
Looking forward to your feedback.
Thanks,
Amy, Eric, and Ian
Thanks,
Amy, Eric, and Ian
#3 is a great first start and I think this should definitely be implemented ASAP. The panini press is also one of my favorite ideas here, but I'm wondering who would use this? Would a student have to bring in their own, un-pressed panini or would the 8:10 sell panini's? Free coffee is also a great idea, and as a student like it, but the 8:10 makes some decent money off of their coffee, how would you keep their revenues in tact?
ReplyDeleteThe "Free" coffee idea has been tossed around for quite some time, but has been met with lots of reluctance from the 810 Cafe owners. I think if you could work with them to make this happen, it would be a great idea for the Owen community and would also foster a larger sense of this community spirit as a whole. I think that if implemented, this idea would be met really well by the entire student body and deserves a decent shot!
ReplyDelete...of espresso! haha
ReplyDeleteAgree with Stephanie. Its going to be important to engage the new owners of the 8:10 in order to implement your ideas. It seems that some of these ideas provide a lot of benefit for students and marginal for the 8:10 owners. If the owners are going to be responsible for cleaning and maintaining, I think the most successful and practical idea would be one that benefits students by providing some service we don't currently have, while potentially driving revenue to the 8:10 owners to make it worth their while. For example, it'd be great to grill a sandwich on a panini press, and if the 8:10 sold sandwiches that were conducive to using it, I think it would be a win-win.
ReplyDelete#3 Air fresheners would be a wonderful addition to the 8:10, but who would pay for and refill them? Would the responsibility fall to the 8:10 owners or to the facilities people? Do you anticipate that the administration will fund them?
ReplyDeleteI have been looking for a coffee machine in the 8:10 cafe since my interview visit. We are all professionals, and most professional environments have a coffee machine that is constantly churning. I think your #2 idea is the best. I imagine the strongest resistance from the 8:10 owners is they would lose money on giving away free coffee. I like your idea of having the coffee supplied by students. I would recommend having a sign up sheet for students to bring a certain size coffee bag (1/2 lb of grinds, for instance) on each Monday. If a student enjoys drinking the free coffee they will likely feel obliged to give back and bring in a pack one week. This will also hold them accountable because if there is no coffee everyone will be able to see which person on the list is shirking! My other suggestion is keeping it clean. Put up simple signs around the area on the proper method of cleaning the area and refilling the pot. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteI like the coffee idea too. We could form a group of students who are interested and we can take rounds in supplying the beans or we could have all contribute weekly / monthly. Hope you are able to pull this off. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Stephanie and Chris that it might be hard to work with the 810 Cafe owners on the coffee idea, but do feel that it would add a lot to Owen.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I might stand alone on this, but I'm not a fan of air fresheners and scents like this in places where I'm eating. I know restaurants avoid things like scented candles because it can actually make food taste different. I understand that 810 is not quite at this level, but the air fresheners might not sit well with everyone...
Also - I think the panani press is a great idea. It's relatively inexpensive and the 810 cafe owners can provide sandwiches for people to press, so you might get good buy-in here.
I love the panini press idea! Such a great, easy way to make your sandwich delicious (which reminds me, it would be nice if they sold sandwiches again, too . . .)
ReplyDeleteI would also be sure to include cleaning implements close by and signs to clearly state that it is the responsibility of the individuals who use the panini press to clean, etc. Would love to do what we can to make Jimmy a happier customer!
I like the coffee idea too. We can definitely bring some grinds to refill and if this could become an Owen tradition, that would be great! I have some doubt for No.1 since cleaning would really be a big problem.
ReplyDeleteAll three are great ideas. The panini press is convenient for students, but it may bother your client Jimmy, because warm panini will generate strong odors even if air-purifier are set in the cafe.
ReplyDeleteI like panini idea even though Jimmy likes sushi very much!! You are able to convince the new owner that an increase of foot traffic thanks to new ideas contributes to the sales numbers. For #3, in addition to your idea, I would like you to provide some clean-up items such as wet wipes.
ReplyDeleteI like them all but I think there are some clear feasibility issues with the first two. You note the cleanliness issue on the first, but on the second, aren't we going to end up paying for the coffee in some form perhaps with increased tuition and to the tune of 8.5% interest? #3 is good as long as the smell isn't overwhelming as I wouldn't want to taste the smell.
ReplyDeleteI think your best point was in the description, maybe something to do with the lighting, it's always dark in there.
I like your ideas as a whole but I'm not sure any single one of them effectively solves the problem. My concern with the panini press is that it will inevitably become another source of mess and smell without frequent cleaning (and I highly doubt we can trust fellow students to do the cleaning routinely as needed). My concern with the air freshener is that smell alone really isn't the problem -- and air fresheners inevitably end up replacing one bad smell with an aroma that smells great for a minute or two but ends up being a bit loathsome.
ReplyDeleteI suppose of the three, free coffee would be my pick. Your challenge is finding a way to make it economically feasible. But I'd much rather have 8:10 reek of coffee than anything else, and nobody will complain about free coffee.
The issue is not about the availability of services but the self-maintenance from the students.
ReplyDeleteI like your ideas. Those definately add more values to 8:10 cafe, not only for Jimmy.(I need free coffee!)
ReplyDeleteBut the issue seems to be self-meintenance, as Spunky said. We may need to create a method to enlighten students, with cafe owners.
I think this is a great goal that many students will support. The most feasible idea is #3. Air fresheners don't cost much, but they will have a very positive impact.
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of what's been said above about the self-maintenance of the area. The microwaves are a clear issue in that they are ALWAYS dirty and disgusting. It's always a wonder to me that any of us will actually cook things in there for fear of all of the other crap that's potentially hitting our food while its cooking (and yes, I get the fact that at high heats germs are less likely to hit our food...but still, its gross).
ReplyDeleteSo, with the above issue, I think it might be challenging to have a panini machine add value (even though I love the thought of being able to use one everyday!). I just fear it would get gross really quickly and would lose value. Just my two cents!
Coffee it is.. if you are able to marshal the resources to make this happen.. it will be a significant contribution to our life..
ReplyDelete#3 is one right up your alley as far as execution
I think we should be clearly first on the purpose of 810 cafe, as so far its not a non-profit entity. Therefore, as much as i want us to have free coffee there, would it be possible for the coffee's owner, whose earnings mainly come from that. If the purpose of having 810 cafe is totally to serve students than this is a brilliant ideas.
ReplyDeleteI like both of other 2 comments.
Coffee is the main driver of traffic and revenue in the mornings for the 810 Cafe. The current may oppose this idea because they pay a significant amount for the rights to this revenue stream. Also, where would the coffer be stored?
ReplyDeleteI think the panini press is a great idea, but I would also be concerned about who would clean it. One of my biggest complaints about the 8:10 Cafe is the cleanliness. I'm afraid the panini press might just add to the chaos.
ReplyDeleteI personally don't drink coffee, but I wonder if people would actually bring it grinds?
The air freshener is a great idea - just as long as it's some yummy smelling. Like a french vanilla or something. I don't think woodland Lysol is really going to help...
I don't necessarily think free coffee is the answer - but ensuring that coffee is readily and always available for a cheap price is defintely a need. I also like your third idea of making the area smell better. What about lightening up the place as well? Are there light bulbs in all the fixtures, are the lights always on?
ReplyDeleteI just assumed that when I went to business school, we would get the basic services of a lot of office places (free coffee, water, pens, pencils, etc).
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kelly, I am willing to pay $1 - $2 for coffee as long as it is ready and waiting for me to pour any time of the day. (Credit card payments would be great as well... but... OH! Great idea. Setup a computer in 8:10 Cafe where people could pay for items through PayPal. This would eliminate IOUs, lessening loss, and would be a work around for the hassles of accepting credit cards. But I digress.)
I do like the creative idea of 'grind sharing' and think it is definitely feasible.
I feel like your third idea addresses your problem but that your first two don't address it. If the problem is: smells bad, dark, uncomfortable, loud - then a Panini press and coffee maker would add to the mess (and to the smell problem). (I'm a tea drinker - don't find coffee smell in the 8:10 that pleasant).
ReplyDeleteThere's always coffee at the 8:10 anyway - why not just have OGSA collect a coffee tax and reimburse the 8:10 owner for coffee / tea expenses at the end of the year? Still, that's trying to solve a different problem.
As to your real problem, what about some simple adjustments of the lights / ventilation system. What about an additional ventilation fan in there? Does the current system work? Maybe it's clogged. What about asking to have a door/curtain on the kitchen microwave area? what about moving the microwaves to a place where they cannot be smelled (smelt?) when something burns - outside? or one of the meeting rooms? (or the restroom where they can solve the FlushThis group's issue). Some white paint on the ceiling might even be helpful to lighten it up. You could mock that up with some foam core.
Stay focused on your problem - as you can see by everyone's comments, it's one worth solving.
I think that everyone can agree that 810 has plenty of opportunity for improvement. I think that the smell would be a good place to start, so the Glade Plug Ins are a good plan. The expense of those cannot be too much.
ReplyDeleteThe other two ideas are nice in theory but run into the same challenges as the rest of 810. The panini press would be gross in a matter of minutes and then who would clean it? The fresh grounds a start and I would certainly be willing to bring in a pound every once in a while, however who would brew this coffee? Who would clean the coffee pot?
Good, simple ideas! Did you think about how to fix the sticky tables? Also, we have coffee in the 810 now, so is your idea to replace that coffee with free home-brewed coffee or they would both be present?
ReplyDeleteYou could have a donation jug by the homemade brew (not sure how you would share the $$ though)
I'm with Professor Owens on this. I think the first two are great ideas, but they don't address the overall problem and might even add to the mess/smell. Option 3 would address the problem, but would it really work? I'm not sure plug-ins can overpower microwaved lean cuisines, and to be honest the smell of "fresh linen" or "pine" are not that appetizing when I'm eating lunch. I think there are still some really good ways to address this problem and like the lighter ceiling color idea. Or perhaps a fan, or maybe even use one of the conference rooms for food "prep".
ReplyDelete