Claire Herquet & Peyton Harris, Editors 

Following the closure of the Starbucks location on main campus in December, students, faculty and staff will now find their caffeine fix and study space at “The Hideaway,” the university’s newly branded coffee, taproom and eatery stop.

Located inside the former Starbucks location in the Union lobby, The Hideaway promises to be more than just a place to grab a latte. The La Salle Dining team and their construction workers have been working hard to build and design the space from scratch, carefully considering every detail to create a unique and welcoming atmosphere for our campus community. 

As construction was being done over Spring break (as per a reel posted on the @lasalledining Instagram account), students and faculty came back to campus and saw the Hideaway’s doors open for its soft opening on Friday, April 4. Campus representatives were offering draft beers and free samples for those in attendance and were open to conversation about specifics of the new spot. 

The Union Hideaway, sponsored by Aramark, is a proud partner of La Colombe Coffee Roasters, an American coffee brand originally founded in Philadelphia. In addition to selling La Colombe on-the-go cold brews and lattes, the baristas at the Hideaway also make and sell iced and hot espresso drinks, refreshers/tea beverages and drip coffees. Pastries and breakfast sandwiches, along with a “pub-style” lunch and dinner menu provide students with an array of options. After 5:00 p.m., a selection of alcoholic beverages from draft beers, assorted wines, seltzers and La Salle’s own Explorer Ale are available for patrons aged 21-plus. 

This past Tuesday, with administrators, Aramark representatives, students and staff in attendance, La Salle Dining held the official grand opening of The Hideaway. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place, with remarks given by Dr. Gaby, Former SGA President William Goydan and President Dan Allen. Hideaway staff were hard at work behind the counter crafting drinks, as well as mingling throughout the space providing different samples of the food offerings and the canned coffee options. 

Dan Allen stressed to those in attendance that he would like feedback upon the opening of the Hideaway. He stated that this space is made in accordance with the love he has for the students and faculty of La Salle, and the Hideaway is what we make of it, as La Salle University is not just the place where we come to learn – we come here to thrive. He addressed that there will of course be improvements made in the coming months, but he needs to hear from us first.   

The Hideaway was built with Lasallians interests in mind, as Dr. Gaby relayed in a statement to The Collegian prior to the grand opening. 

“I am very pleased that we are able to offer to our students a unique and full eatery experience with extended hours than previously offered, now that we have opened the Union Hideaway. I am looking forward to students creating memories for years to come in our new space available not only for a study spot, but for good food, fun, and laughter,” she said. 

As Hideaway staff have been at work preparing food and beverages for some weeks now, many students have begun to frequent the new space as they try out new menu items. Freshman MyrrhJessica Okwara attended the grand opening ceremonies and was impressed with the various samples provided by staff. 

“When it comes to the food, I would say that it was delectable, it was delicious, especially the pizzas that they had out,” she said. “I have to become a regular.” 

“I really like the new detailed design. It’s really unique and a lot different from the other [places] we have here,” said sophomore Riley Kavchok. “I feel like with [The Hideaway] we have a wider variety of options, food-wise, bakery-wise, than when Starbucks was here. I really like the coffee, too,” she said. 

Both students agreed that a central community space like The Hideaway is essential to supporting students on campus.  

“A coffee spot is not just known for coffee, but just for the fact that you can sit and converse with people. It’s a great place to relax between classes, and most of all, it’s just important to the community that now we have our own space to do stuff,” said Okwara. Kavchok echoed that sentiment, adding, “I would reward myself with a fun drink whenever I was stressed out, especially during finals week. I’m happy now that I can do that again.” 

Starting from scratch in a new venue is no easy feat. Work began immediately after the Fall 2024 semester ended, and the new Hideaway is the culmination of all those efforts. Derek Bray, district marketing manager for Aramark’s Collegiate Hospitality division, says the process is “truly awe-inspiring”. 

“From the work performed by architects and contractors to product research and development and menu engineering and executing a comprehensive and engaging marketing strategy, the end result is really a culmination of these pieces all coming together at just the right moment and in a way that complement each other,” said Bray. 

Echoing statements from Dr. Gaby and Dr. Allen, Bray stressed that the main goal of the new space is to ensure that it meets students’ needs and is crafted from the feedback they receive. Their priority with the new space will continue to be, “creating a vibrant atmosphere and centrally located gathering space for students while enhancing the menu offerings throughout the day and creating a more robust late-night experience.” 

With its doors finally open, The Hideaway stands ready to be a comfortable and peaceful space for the La Salle community. Offering a diverse menu and a welcoming atmosphere for all, this new campus addition promises to be more than just a replacement for Starbucks.

As students, faculty, and staff begin to frequent and implement the Hideaway into their daily and weekly routines, the hard work being completed by university leaders and Aramark representatives suggests an exciting new chapter in the Student Union, one shaped by the people it aims to serve.