Originally published in the December 10th, 2021 edition.
Sam Boudreau
News Editor
Bijeta Lamichhane
News Editor
As he threw his cap into the air at Triway High School’s graduation ceremony, Seth Feikert had no interest in a collegiate career. Instead, “coffee became a hobby” for Feikert, as he established Boo Bear’s Brew in 2018, one of downtown Wooster’s new coffee locations. Today, in an ironic twist, Feikert will take his coffee talents to The College of Wooster’s Old Main Café.
Starting Jan. 17, Boo Bear’s Brew — a local café — will be operating at the Old Main Café location starting next semester, offering their own selection of several coffee and baked goods.“We are excited to enter into this partnership with yet another local entrepreneur to provide services to the college community,” said Marjorie Shamp, Director of Campus Dining and Conference Services.
Campus Dining’s partnership with Boo Bear’s Brew is one of the College’s many partnerships with local businesses to serve the campus community during the Student Center Renovation and national staffing shortage. Earlier this semester, Campus Dining dealt with a staffing shortage and complaints from the campus community regarding available dining options. In response, Campus Dining staff partnered with local eateries to increase dining options for the community. “Renoy and Tania Barua, who own the Curry Pot, and Justin Mullis, owner of Oma Gourd Handcrafted Tacos, also base their operations at Local Roots, and will also continue to provide great meals at Kittredge during spring semester,” Shamp said.
Feikert said that the College reached out to Local Roots in October on partnering with various local ventures based in the cooperative business. Local Roots shared the College’s message with the ventures, and Boo Bear’s Brew came on board to become one of the partners. “I reached out to Shamp directly to express my interest,” Feikert said, “and that is when the offer for Old Main came up.”
Currently, the campus has made an agreement with Boo Bear’s Brew for them to provide their services until the end of the spring semester, but Feikert hopes that the College will extend their contract. Feikert said that Boo Bear’s Brew will also hire student employees to help operate the space. Outside of students, Boo Bear’s Brew will provide all staffing.
When asked what will be available at Old Main, Feikert said that the options will remain the same as those at Boo Bear’s. “We will offer the same things that are here,” he said. “Really good coffee, drinks that are not coffee as well and a warm and inviting space.” In addition, the Brew is also partnering with Local Roots to provide grab-and-go sandwiches.
The College’s partnership with different local businesses has been applauded by many, and Feikert expressed the same sentiment. As not all places in downtown Wooster are walking-distance away from the College, Feikert said that he appreciates these new additions to campus that allow all students to experience the variety of food options that Downtown offers.