Dunn Meadow Cafe celebrates with grand opening

With a coat of light yellow paint, an aluminum ceiling and a revamped menu, Kiva transformed into Dunn Meadow Cafe.

Although the cafe in the Indiana Memorial Union has been open since Feb. 1, it will have its grand opening today from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The cafe will celebrate its opening with prizes, musicians and coupons, said Steve Mangan, general manager of IMU dining services.

The grand opening celebration will also include discounts on certain food items, Mangan said. There will also be free samples of different items.

In addition, the cafe has been working with Live From Bloomington to have acoustic musicians play during the opening.

Sophomore Caroline Shurig, director of Live From Bloomington, said singer/songwriter and IU student Lindsay Smith will perform during the celebration.

Mangan said the space was originally known as Kiva, but the eatery was changed to Dunn Meadow Cafe when the Union decided to renovate it.

After conducting questionnaires, Mangan said Union  staff realized that the name Kiva was confusing to customers who said they were unsure of what it was. It was then renamed Dunn Meadow Cafe because of its location.

Holly Parient, one of the retail managers of the cafe, said the menu has also changed. The new cafe sells the top-five Kiva sandwiches as well as some new ones. It also includes a larger salad bar.

“Now there’s something that appeals to a variety of tastes,” Mangan said.

The cafe is also moving toward using local produce in its food, Mangan added.
Parient said the cafe has tried to improve the speed of the service.

There are also plans to include an outdoor patio where customers will be able to eat.
“We are trying to make it much more visible,” Mangan said.