New SRSC café offers tired students a chance to refuel

Students now have the option to grab a snack without even leaving the gym. The Student Recreational Sports Center, along with Residential Programs and Services, has just launched a new café inside the SRSC. \nThe new café has been in the works for about 14 months said Brian Barker, convenient store coordinator for RPS. Its goal is to provide students with a variety of nutritional snacks to refuel their bodies post-workout. \nSome of these healthy options include cereal, granola bars, smoothies, sandwiches and wraps; however, less healthy options like cookies are available as well.\n"Most of what we've been selling is drinks -- more specifically bottled water and smoothies," said senior and employee Christina Cavazos. \nThe café is staffed by about 20 student employees, many of whom are experienced RPS employees and are supervisors in other buildings, Barker said.\nThe idea for food options inside the SRSC isn't a new one. Barker said the comment cards available at the SRSC have continually proved students were showing a desire for food services.\n"All the response has been positive," Barker said. "The SRSC has been waiting on this for a long time."\nThe café accepts meal points and Campus Access, as well as cash. There are future plans to accept credit and debit cards as well.\n"It's a great opportunity for students to grab-and-go," Cavazos said.\nJerry Russell, the on site manager of the SRSC Café, said business has been going along pretty well for the first week of operation.\n"It's been a little slow getting started, but that's good," Russell said. "It gives us a chance to train our crew and feel our way around." \nRussell said business peaks in the evening, as this is when most students work out because they are finished with classes.\n"A lot of students aren't aware that we're here, but the ones that are have given us a very favorable response," Russell said.\nJohn Pedersen, the facility support director for the SRSC said the new café has been beneficial to both RPS and the SRSC.\n"It's a win-win situation. They're in the food vending business and we have participants who would really like to have a healthy snack after exercising," Pedersen said.\nThe café is planning a grand opening to take place in the next month, after things have settled down.\nRussell said he would encourage students to stop by and take advantage of the new café.\n"After (students) finish their workouts, they can choose something healthy to give them a little energy boost," Russell said.\nBoth Russell and Barker agreed the café will be an asset to the entire community, not just the students on campus. With the Men's Big Ten Swimming Championships being held in Bloomington from Feb. 23-25, the out-of-state visitors will also have the chance to use the services provided by the new café.\n"We'll be here for students, staff and faculty and outside visitors," Barker said. "It's a great additive to the community"