The Brew’s back and ready for action, offering students a new place to get coffee on campus.
First opening in 2013, AMS service, The Brew closed in March 2020 due to COVID-19 health restrictions. Following the completion of the JDUC reconstruction, the café reopened on Sept. 8 with a refreshed menu. A sister store to Common Ground Coffeehouse (CoGro), the relaunch comes under the leadership of the CoGro team and AMS Vice President (Operations) Elena Nurzynski, who oversees AMS services.
In an interview with The Journal, Nurzynski highlighted that the reopening was the result of “a collection of previous managers’ and assistant managers’ ideas, ensuring that every design choice was made by students, for students.”
Nurzynski explained café’s revival was shaped over several years. In 2023, CoGro Head Manager Phallon Melmer, ArtSci ’23, developed the marketing and brand guide, while Nurzynski focused on menu design. Nurzynski also acknowledged the contributions of Alex Mackinnon, the interim head manager this year, who finalized operations and guided the project until its completion.
With no reliable financial data from the past five years, this year’s budget is largely a projection, Nurzynski said. To maintain stability, the management team plans to monitor sales frequency and average transaction values closely. Their goal is to establish a realistic baseline for operations that future teams can rely on, rather than outdated records.
“We’re really using this year to reset and see where we’re at financially,” she explained, adding that the sales data collected throughout the year will guide future decisions about budgeting and sustainability.
While The Brew and its sister café CoGro share similarities, Nurzynski emphasized that The Brew offers a different atmosphere and menu style.
“The Made-to-Order sandwiches are probably the biggest distinction. Common Ground is more bagel-based, while The Brew focuses on artisanal options. We brought in focaccia to make that shift, but we also wanted cozy lunch options for a quick bite between classes.”
Ultimately, Nurzynski and the team hope The Brew won’t act to compete with CoGro, but as another space for student connection and activity.
“It’s not about filling a gap,” Nurzynski said. “It’s about complementing each other. It’s an additional space where students can connect, work on school, study for exams, or grab a bite to eat. They really just work together.”
Tags
CoGro, grand opening, the Brew
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