By Sophie Yablonski

Picture this: You’ve hit snooze on your alarm one too many times, you are rushing to your first period class, and now you’re running on zero breakfast. It’s now mid-morning, and you need a pick-me-up, maybe a snack, or something refreshing to sip on while you mentally regroup. Where do you go? The answer is simple: the Sharp Café

This year, the Upper School’s café in the Sharp Academic Commons building doesn’t just have a new look, but a new menu too. With improved drinks and an all-new staff, the vibe in Sharp can be credited to the cafe.

I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to supervisor barista Renee Lewis about the changes, a friendly face you might recognize from McFall Hall in past years, especially if your finger did not scan properly. Now one of the main baristas up in Sharp, she had an abundance to share about her transition: “The kitchen was more chaotic, more kids and more noise, but here, it’s laid back.” She also mentioned how it “feels like I graduated with the students, I get to see familiar faces and talk more. It’s more personal.”

Photo courtesy of Collegiate School.

One of the most noteworthy changes this year is the café’s new partnership with ecogrounds, a California-based coffee company focused on sustainability. Last year, the café served La Colombe Coffee products, but the new switch brings more variety and an added sustainability aspect. Ecogrounds doesn’t just serve up lattes and refreshers; they also recycle coffee packaging into things like decks and patios. “We keep the coffee bags so they can be reused. It’s cool knowing the café is part of something environmentally friendly,” Lewis explained. On their website, ecogrounds explains, “At a Trex recycling facility, your ecogrounds bags will find new life as Trex boards, which are used to build long-life decks and patio furniture.”

As for what the café now offers, the menu has seen a major glow-up and some slight price increases. But with the increase, students can now enjoy a wide range of drinks, from hot and iced lattes to refreshers, matcha, and seasonal specials. There are also mini-meals, grab-and-go snacks, and rotating seasonal treats, like pumpkin cheese cake. If lunch at the cafeteria isn’t your favorite, you can stop by the café to order their famous chicken and waffles, or maybe a Caesar salad. When asked about her favorite drink, Lewis mentioned the iced dragon fruit refresher. She said, “it’s my go-to,” but also acknowledged that the majority of students really love the lattes too.

Ecogrounds drinks. Photo credit: APUeats via instagram @apueats_.

To get the full experience, I joined classmates Ava Babik (‘27) and Josie Smalley (‘27) to taste-test some of the newest menu items. We started with the Pumpkin Iced Chai ($5.09) with Pumpkin Cold Foam ($0.79), a drink that truly tastes like fall in a cup. If you’re into cozy, autumn flavors, especially pumpkin spice, this one’s for you. 

Next up was the Iced Dragon Fruit and Lychee Refresher ($4.49). It was vibrant and refreshing without being too sweet. It’s great for a mid-day boost for when you’re feeling sluggish during block Wednesdays. Babik said, “it tastes just like Starbucks.”

Finally, we split a slice of the Pumpkin Cheesecake ($4.80), which was the best school dessert we’ve ever tried. Picture a rich cheesecake with a hint of fall flare, elevating the flavor profile. Considering I’m not fond of cheesecake, this exceeded my expectations.

I asked other students what they thought of the new café and its offerings. 

Noelle Christensen (‘27) expressed how she loves the new café and drinks, “But I do wish we had more of the old junk food, like Cheetos or Pop-Tarts.”

Gabriela Hernandez (‘26) was more enthusiastic: “I think the new drinks and lunch items are great. There are a lot more options, and they’re all pretty solid.”

Tyler Lewis (‘26), a new-found matcha enthusiast, kept it simple, “The matcha is good.” 

Beyond the food and drinks, what makes the café truly special is the vibe. It’s a relaxed social space where students can hang out and feel a sense of community. “I love making you guys smile,” Lewis told me. “If I can help you start your day off right, that means everything to me.” Looking ahead, Lewis hopes the cafe continues to grow with student input. “I’d love to add more items that you guys actually want,” she said. She’s also open to adding a suggestion box, or having students help plan out a special menu. 

It’s clear that Lewis and the rest of the cafe team care about creating the best experience for the students. Remembering orders and greeting students by name foster a deeper connection between students and staff. 

Whether you’re craving caffeine, needing a snack, or just looking for a place to regroup between classes, the upgraded café is the place you should go to. It’s a space that blends comfort, conversation, and community.

Featured image courtesy of coffeegeek.com.