Vienna Coffee at Maryville College opens on campus, but student response is mixed
Changes on College Hill this year have been widespread, with the opening of a new Vienna Coffee location in the Clayton Center for the Arts drawing student anticipation due to its previous renown to Scots.
After their August opening, mixed student reactions included questions about payment options, pricing and hours of operation as well as praise for the welcome addition to campus and the idea of a new study spot.
“I already love Vienna Coffee’s downtown location, so offering it here was something I looked forward to,” said Michael Howard (‘28).
Shortly after opening, students were informed that Flex Dollars would not be accepted as payment. This information was not communicated over the summer, which led to many negative reactions, especially considering the removal of coffee products from The Market, previously the C-Store under Metz management.
“Upon learning that Flex wouldn’t be taken, I became hesitant to go,” Howard said.
While Howard shares a popular belief amongst other students, this is not the only opinion on campus. Many commuter students and coffee lovers do not mind having to use their own money to buy Vienna’s coffee or pastries.
“I think it is better than spending money at Starbucks or Dunkin, and being able to support local businesses is not something that many campuses offer,” commuter Ash Weber (‘28) said. “Having Vienna on campus makes it more accessible and convenient. I do feel bad that students cannot use their Flex, but since I don’t even have a meal plan it is not a deal breaker for me.”
Another difference noticed by students is that prices at the MC Vienna location do not match the prices from the downtown location that students are familiar with.
“I have no idea why they would make the prices so different; some things are cheaper and some are more expensive,” said Weber. “There is also no student discount which is unfortunate.”
This discount offered at the downtown location is 10 percent off for MC students.
The hours are also different between the two locations: the on-campus Vienna is only open until 2 p.m. on weekdays and is not open on the weekends, whereas the downtown location is open until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
To students, many things aren’t adding up: no Flex payments, varied prices and no student discount have left many discouraged. Other students have begun to brainstorm ways Vienna and the students could compromise to make both parties happy.
“The student discount should be automatically applied to the prices at the Maryville College location,” Howard suggested. “The downtown location prices should be consistent with these new prices as well.”
Vienna Coffee provided no comment in response to the students’ demands and questions regarding payment options, pricing and more. Still, many students hold out hope that changes and adjustments will come eventually.
According to Kelly Wiggins, chief operating officer of Vienna Coffee, one of the goals of opening the Maryville College Vienna location was to build community. Students praise Vienna for its different atmosphere compared to the rest of campus, with some envisioning how clubs could utilize the space for events.
“If the hours were shifted to be later, there could be the opportunity for unique events to be offered. A jazz night or writing workshop are just two examples of events that I think fit the space that I would personally go to,” Howard said.
Allowing events into the space would help to connect Scots. Through events such as themed nights or hobby-based classes, a community of the arts could be fostered and would help to strengthen the tight-knit community at Maryville.
The Clayton Centers’ Vienna has already become a staple to many daily routines for students, faculty and staff. This new Vienna Coffee is open in the Clayton Center for the Arts, Building B from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Ash Weber (‘28) and Michael Howard (‘28) enjoying coffee and a conversation at the new Vienna Coffee on MC campus.
Photo by Gia Smart