Student-run organization returns after 18-month hiatus
URI’s student-run coffeehouse is brewing back to life after more than a year of virtual events and online classes closed the shop. PHOTO CREDIT: James Singer
After a long year of online classes and virtual events, the return to an in-person experience has allowed “one of the coziest places on campus” to come back: 193 Degrees Coffehouse.
193 Degrees is a student-run coffee shop located in Room 200 of the Memorial Union. The Coffehouse is a unique experience run by URI students. Founded in 1994 by University of Rhode Island alum Adam Naftalin, “the place where awesome started” has been serving students for over 20 years.
In the spring of 2020, 193 Degrees closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further restrictions implemented last year made it hard to keep it open.
“It didn’t make sense to reopen,” said Sam DeForte, a senior and barista at 193 Degrees.
The Coffehouse attempted to re-open with a limited menu and hours in February. Between restrictions on indoor dining and struggles to bring in customers, it was only open for special events, such as open mic nights. Last Wednesday, September 15, the Coffehouse opened its doors again for students.
“I’m very excited it’s back open,” junior Anna Gamgebeli said. “Freshman year, I used to study here with my friends.”
Students can purchase coffee and tea drinks for $1 in a “friendly environment” to work or spend time with their friends, said DeForte.
Junior Phoebe Mack, the managing coordinator at 193 Degrees, explained all the steps that went back into reopening. She said that to start back up, the Coffehouse needed to reorder a lot of inventory like cups, straws, teas, coffees and flavored syrups.
193 Degrees is a student organization, the baristas typically work three-to-four hours a week. Since it is not for profit, most of the earnings go back into buying supplies to keep the Coffehouse running. This means that the student baristas are mainly volunteers; any money left over from sales goes to pay members of the staff.
No experience is required to work at 193 Degrees Coffehouse, and anyone is welcome to apply, according to barista and junior William Beazley. He said that in many ways, the organization functions more like a club than a business.
Beazley described 193 Degrees as more than just coffee, but as a community. The Coffehouse offers special events with other organizations including their open mic nights and organized band performances, thanks to Event Coordinator Natalie Chasten.
The Coffehouse had its first open mic since reopening last Thursday, September 16 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The event drew in many students and approximately 10 musical performers. The music spanned across genres and even included some original songs. In addition to musicians, poets and comedians are welcome to perform.
Mack said that she is happy to see people coming in and to start building a community hub again through 193 Degrees.
“[I am] so happy to see the Coffehouse in its full experience again,” Mack said. “The spirit is back.”
The 193 Degrees Coffehouse is cash only and open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Students can buy hot and iced coffee and tea, hot chocolate, chai, and espresso drinks which can be flavored with many different syrups, including popular flavors such as vanilla or lavender and seasonal flavors like pumpkin and peppermint.