Post Runs on Dunkin! Or is it Java City?

Coffee preference on campus

Matt Marando

It’s bright and early and class is about to be in session. Students who have just woken up swarm the Hillwood Café and Java City for their early morning coffee fix before they head out for a long day of classes. For the workers at these on campus refreshment vendors, the hour before class means heavy business.

This fall, the Hillwood Café has acquired the popular Dunkin’ Donuts brand coffee. But what does acquiring the Dunkin’ Donuts brand coffee mean for Hillwood Café’s neighbor Java City? According to Java City employer Lora, their business has declined by 60% since Hillwood Café started offering Dunkin Donuts coffee. “We still get out ‘faithful customers,’” Lora says with a sigh. “Maybe the [Dunkin Donuts] coffee is cheaper or Dunkin’ Donuts is better for them”.

In a survey, 6 out of 10 students preferred the Dunkin Donuts brand at Hillwood Café as opposed to the coffee offered at Java City. “Java City [coffee] is too watery. Dunkin’ Donuts just tastes better,” says first year Graduate student, Veena Ganesh. Others have argued that getting the Dunkin Donuts brand is cheaper and quicker. “It’s good. You just make it yourself and go,” Junior Nicole Cileo states.

While some students prefer the Dunkin’ Donuts brand, others are more partial to Java City’s coffee. “There are more options and more to chose from, and you can actually taste the coffee. Dunkin’ Donuts is too bland” argues Senior Joey Vollers. Sophomore Danielle Cirrone argues the validity of the Dunkin Donuts coffee. “The Dunkin’ Donuts coffee [at Hillwood Café] isn’t real Dunkin’ Donuts coffee”.

To some students, it’s not just about the taste of the coffee, but the service that is provided. Freshman Jen Baxter, a Java City go-er, mentions an employee by the name of Ursula. “She makes me feel like I’m her daughter”, says Baxter of the Java City employee. “She’s fabulous and always smiles”.

Although Java City employee Lora was upset by the decline in business, she still remains hopeful. “You may go to the Café to get Dunkin’ Donuts coffee in the morning to wake you, but when mid-day comes, you gotta come to Java City for that Javalanche sugar rush!” she said with enthusiasm. “We’re the only place on campus that can do that”.

No matter where you get your coffee, whether it is Hillwood Café or Java City, the choice is up to you. Either way, we all need to stay up for class somehow!