Boba and More: New Dining Options to Lamar Community College

Lamar Community College (LCC) and Sodexo have partnered to launch Lopes' Cafe, a new retail space offering a variety of snacks and beverages, including Botrista boba drinks, Dazbog coffee, Simply To Go salads, sandwiches, parfaits, and other snackable munchies. The cafe, located in the Student Union next to the Student Life offices, opened its doors on August 19, the first day of classes.

Spearheaded by Dr. Rosana Reyes

The new café initiative was spearheaded by President Dr. Rosana Reyes. Dr. Reyes set out to increase the number of dining locations on campus while enhancing the student experience. Designed to better utilize a newly renovated area, Lopes' Cafe is integrated with student meal plans through flex dollars, making it a convenient and attractive option for the campus community. The cafe hit the mark for LCC, providing a vibrant and welcoming space for students.

The feedback from students and faculty has been overwhelmingly positive. "We're thrilled to introduce Lopes' Cafe as a vibrant new space for our students and staff to gather, recharge, and enjoy a variety of snacks and drinks conveniently available on campus and included in our students' meal plan. This addition enriches our campus life and reinforces our team's commitment to fostering a welcoming and engaging environment at Lamar Community College," shared Dr. Reyes, President of LCC.

A Collaborative Effort

The success of Lopes' Cafe is the result of a strong collaborative effort. Tessa Balderrama, General Manager, has been instrumental in maintaining the high standards of the program and ensuring an inviting storefront. Jerry Comstock, Resident District Manager from the School of Mines, offered valuable support in design and management. Chad DeBono, Vice President of Administrative Services/Institutional Effectiveness, played a key role in integrating flex dollars into the meal plans. Victor Agena, Area General Manager, Sodexo Campus, ensured the seamless integration of student flex dollars and the successful launch of the cafe.

Looking Ahead

Plans to further develop Lopes' Cafe are already in motion. New offerings, such as the Redbull Infusions promotion, an expanded selection of Simply To Go salads and sandwiches, and new drink recipes for the Botrista beverage machine, are being considered.

The implementation of the tablet register system, which involved the integration of flex dollars for the first time at LCC, was carefully managed by a dedicated team. Their coordinated efforts ensured that the system was fully functional by the time the doors opened. As Victor Agena noted, "Sometimes you just have to be the squeaky wheel until you get it done."

The cafe is a testament to the effective partnership between LCC and Sodexo, providing a welcoming new space for students to enjoy on campus.