By Parvi Anand
For many Lovett students, the Café has always been more than just a spot to grab coffee or a snack—it’s been a daily routine, a meeting place, and the last resting place of chicken biscuits before being devoured by 10 am.
But this year, the Café has taken on a new identity after being relocated from its original space to the concession stands outside of the Wallace gym, due to the new addition of art rooms in the upper school.
Chris Lewis—also known as “Café Chris”—has been at the center of this transition. He says the move has changed the way the Café operates in big ways. “Massively,” Lewis said. “We can no longer make or prepare food out of this space due to the lack of compliance with the health code. Starting up, we can only do what a concession stand can do—candies, chips, regular hot coffee, not even dairy.”
One of the biggest limitations is the lack of a three-compartment sink, which health codes require in order to prepare food. For now, the Café is only able to serve cookies and pizzas, thanks to special permission to use the cafeteria ovens. “Even that is limited because sometimes they’re using all the ovens,” Lewis added.
Despite these challenges, Lewis has been determined to keep the Café spirit alive. “We’ve tried doing as much as we can,” he explained. “Having hot coffee, chips and candy, and all nutrition bars, and trying new products—like bacon egg and cheese biscuits from Chick-fil-A—and doing as much as we can to make everything as it used to be.”
Students have noticed changes in more than just the menu. “Well, first, a lot of people didn’t know where we were,” Lewis said. “We don’t have a dining area, only four tables, just to do a senior section. The biggest change is that the Café used to be a hangout spot.”
Feedback has been mixed but mostly supportive. “Most are just happy to have something—everybody understands the limitation because of the construction,” Lewis said. “But there have been a few people who have been very upset, especially with the iced coffee. Students have said, ‘I miss warm cookie Wednesday and iced coffee and sandwiches.’”
Looking to the future, Lewis has plans to slowly bring back student favorites. “Iced coffee is at the top of the list,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to get the sink going, bring back fresh fruit, iced coffee, yogurt parfaits, and figure out a way to get some baked goods and salads. We’re trying to bring back all cold prepared items. And by the end of the year, try to figure out a way to get the oven going in here, but that’s not up to me.”
The current location is temporary, with plans to expand into the new building once construction is complete. “Only here for two to three years,” Lewis confirmed. “After that, we’ll expand into the new building, where we’ll have our own space. I believe there’s already a floor plan and blueprint in place.”
Though the Café looks different this year, Café Chris is still there behind the counter, making sure Lovett students have their coffee and cookies—even if that place is now inside the concession stands!
