2000 - 2010 Faulkner University
5345 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109 334.272.5820 or 800.879.9816 Privacy / Legal
Web site Powered by ActiveCampusTM Software by LiquidMatrix
News
Home > News Archive> News Story
Campus Coffee Shop Springs from Class Assignment
When Faulkner University students returned to campus August 18, they were greeted with a new gathering place. The Cafe Siena, a coffee shop modeled after a European cafe with a warm ambiance and eclectic decor, offers students a variety of coffee-based products, smoothies and desserts with a price tag to accommodate a student budget. "I love it!" exclaims Junior Sarah Dedmon. "It's very cute and cozy and everything tastes good. They even do special orders for you and can make anything decaf."
According to proprietor and Faulkner business professor Dr. David Johnson, the venture sprang from an assignment presented to the students of his business strategy class. Students were to develop a business model for a service desired on campus, and the idea of a coffee shop was presented. Johnson realized that the proposal was viable. A spot in the J.L Perry building next to the cafeteria offered an excellent location as it was centrally located on campus and had once been a snack area known as the Nest. Johnson and his class formed focus groups that provided information as to the kind of atmosphere desired, and Cafe Siena was born.
Decorated in warm Tuscan tones, the coffee shop sports an eclectic array of furnishings from across the globe that includes cushy leather seating, a hand-honed banquet from a New Orleans French quarter tavern, a European antique copper coffee and espresso maker and a bright-red, old-fashioned British phone booth. "It's a great place to hang-out," explains Junior Benjamin Trent referring to Cafe Siena's location on campus. "You can come in between classes, grab a cup of coffee, study a little and see your friends."
Not merely a coffee shop, Cafe Siena will multitask not only as a warm and bright hangout for students and faculty, but also as a living classroom, operating as a business model for students to study the concepts of business strategy and offering employment.
Open to the public, Johnson sees the venture as a mission work as well. "The purpose of business is to bless people with products, services and employment. I hope Cafe Siena will be a blessing to the community."
According to proprietor and Faulkner business professor Dr. David Johnson, the venture sprang from an assignment presented to the students of his business strategy class. Students were to develop a business model for a service desired on campus, and the idea of a coffee shop was presented. Johnson realized that the proposal was viable. A spot in the J.L Perry building next to the cafeteria offered an excellent location as it was centrally located on campus and had once been a snack area known as the Nest. Johnson and his class formed focus groups that provided information as to the kind of atmosphere desired, and Cafe Siena was born.
Decorated in warm Tuscan tones, the coffee shop sports an eclectic array of furnishings from across the globe that includes cushy leather seating, a hand-honed banquet from a New Orleans French quarter tavern, a European antique copper coffee and espresso maker and a bright-red, old-fashioned British phone booth. "It's a great place to hang-out," explains Junior Benjamin Trent referring to Cafe Siena's location on campus. "You can come in between classes, grab a cup of coffee, study a little and see your friends."
Not merely a coffee shop, Cafe Siena will multitask not only as a warm and bright hangout for students and faculty, but also as a living classroom, operating as a business model for students to study the concepts of business strategy and offering employment.
Open to the public, Johnson sees the venture as a mission work as well. "The purpose of business is to bless people with products, services and employment. I hope Cafe Siena will be a blessing to the community."
