Fair Lawn HS Launches Student-Run Coffee Shop

FAIR LAWN, NJ - Fair Lawn High School now has a coffee shop on campus, run by students.

On Wednesdays and Fridays, during select school periods, students take the helm of new beverage carts and don black Busy BEAN Coffee Shop aprons.

Besides giving teachers and administrators a convenient way to get a cup of coffee on campus, the Busy BEAN Coffee Shop provides teens a place to learn real-life skills they’ll be able to apply outside of school.

After a donation from FLASE, the Special Education PTO, for the startup supplies, the Busy BEAN Coffee Shop had its soft opening last month in C103 as part of Student Service’s Transition Program, according to the school district.

“The soft opening is going very, very well and the students have made strides in terms of speed of delivery and improving their social skills,” said Tori Russo, FLHS Transition Coordinator.

Just a few of the tasks keeping them busy include: prepping carts, putting labels on cup sleeves, checking inventory, taking orders and delivering drinks. The coffee, according to the district, is complimentary and for adults only.

Students are also learning important social skills, how to calculate change and how to be responsible in a work environment.

“The students are learning very important prerequisite job skills which will prepare them for future jobs and career opportunities,” said Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Camille DeFranco.

“FLASE is really happy to make this process happen,” said FLASE President Mel Jerchower.