The Skyline Coffee shop will undergo managerial and structural changes this winter.

As many students are aware, an outside business provides Skyline College with its coffee. Its contract has ended, and the district wishes to bring the current business model of College of San Mateo’s coffee shop to Skyline.

On Thursday, Nov. 3, the ASSC held a special presentation during its 2-4 p.m. meeting. The presentation, led by Thomas Bauer, the Director of Auxiliary Services for the San Mateo County Community College District, outlined plans for the new café area to come.

To those unfamiliar with the layout of the cafeteria as it currently is, the snack bar area has two entrances, one of which is gated off. After the changes students will see the regular entrance to the snack bar, but the gated-off area will open to welcome students into a brand-new coffee concession area. The snack bar and café area will be split into two, separated by half of a wall. The snack bar will remain where it is, but now there will be a café added to its other side, with two gates welcoming students into either the coffee concession area or the snack bar.

In addition to the changes to the café, Skyline will see changes in the overall layout and furnishing of the cafeteria, with chairs that will allow students to plug in their laptops for homework or Internet browsing purposes.

“President Stroud has really pushed that she wants to see that area around the fireplace [in the cafeteria] as like the living room of the building, but she wants it to have furniture similar to what we have at College of San Mateo that’s more like a cyber lounge,” Bauer said.

“I’m concerned that there’s going to be more crowding in the kitchen area,” said Skyline student Michael Asuncion. “If they set up a coffee stand right next to the kitchen, especially in the morning, it’s going to be more of a zoo.”

For those worried about the rush and crowd, there is a solution. The coffee shop will have two espresso machines and two cash registers to dilute traffic. The café will also have Skyline College colors and will offer a full Starbucks menu, which is used at Cañada and College of San Mateo. The prices will not be raised; they will still be what can be referred to as college prices.

“[The] process will take place over the spring, and really what my hope is, is that the redesign to downstairs will be finished by the summer,” Bauer said as to when the changes in the cafeteria will occur. “This coffee shop will be built and it will open on January 18. I don’t want the campus to go without having this service.”

It looks as though Skyline students are in for many surprises to come in respects to the new cafeteria overall as well. According to Bauer’s presentation, the area will make better use of space and will have decorative furnishings such as bamboo plants. “It’s gonna be very warm; it’s gonna be very inviting; it’s gonna be very comfortable,” Bauer said. 

The school will begin hiring student workers soon.