Cafe Laura, which reopened on Aug. 25, held its grand reopening Sept. 9 after months of extensive renovations. The student-run restaurant housed in the Mateer Building features new fare stations, a revised design, and a variety of novel equipment and technology. More importantly, the $1.2 million renovation boosts the educational experience for students and enhances dining experiences for customers.
The celebration featured remarks by Ann C. Crouter, Raymond E. and Erin Stuart Schultz Dean of the College of Health and Human Development, and John O'Neill, director of the School of Hospitality Management (SHM), as well as a ribbon-cutting ceremony and refreshments.
Cafe Laura is a partnership between Penn State Housing and Food Services (HFS) and SHM. It is open 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and offers both grab-and-go services and in-house dining.
For more information about Café Laura, visit cafelaura.psu.edu. For more information about the SHM visit hhd.psu.edu/shm.
Cafe Laura ribbon
The ribbon was cut on the newly renovated Cafe Laura Sept. 9 during a special ceremony and reception. The cafe, housed in the Mateer Building on University Park's campus, closed last April. Since then, students, faculty, staff and industry professionals have been working around the clock to ensure the eatery is open in time for the fall semester.
Ribbon cutting Cafe Laura
"The renovation project, which has been made possible by a number of donations, has been planned for a while," said John O’Neill, director of School of Hospitality Management. "And while work has been done on Café Laura in the last couple of years, this project is 'the biggest renovation we’ve had in the building since it opened 20 years ago,'" Scott King, general manager of Café Laura, said the refurbished café is a significant educational piece for students and puts the School of Hospitality Management in a good place nationally. “It’s a showplace,” O’Neill said, and the renovation project has “been a fascinating process” as he and a renovation committee solicited input from students, faculty, staff, alumni and others about design features desired in a renovated Café Laura. George Ruth, senior instructor of hospitality management; and Dave Gingher, director of retail campus dining and catering at HUB Dining at Penn State, were members of the renovation committee. Mesher Shing McNutt, an innovative architecture and interior design firm based in Seattle, was the principal designer.
Cafe Laura sign
Cafe Laura, which re-opened Aug. 25, held its grand reopening Sept. 9 after months of extensive renovations. The student-run restaurant housed in the Mateer Building features new fare stations, a revised design, and a variety of novel equipment and technology. More importantly, the $1.2 million renovation boosts the educational experience for students and enhances dining experiences for customers.
Dean Crouter Cafe Laura
Ann C. Crouter, Raymond E. and Erin Stuart Schultz Dean of the College of Health and Human Development, spoke during Cafe Laura's grand reopening.
Group Cafe Laura
A variety of hospitality management (HM) students attended the celebration on Sept. 9. "It's wonderful, it's beautiful," said Dylan Weinstein, a senior HM student. Weinstein said the renovated space is more upscale looking, and new equipment will make classes a lot more productive. "I definitely think it's a great benefit to the students."
Mingling
Many of the guests were seeing Cafe Laura for the first time since its renovation. New chairs, carpets, artwork and window treatments were among the modifications.
Treats
As treats were being passed around, HM seniors Kristina Trainer and Yaheng Li took some time to admire the newly renovated cafe. "It's a very modern and functional space," Trainer said. "(It) looks more open, more alive," Li added. The new technology, Trainer explained, is beneficial for students preparing to enter the workforce. "It's very relevant," she said.
treats tray
Cafe Laura celebrated its grand reopening celebration with a ribbon cutting and refreshments, including Starbucks brand coffee and sweets.
