Cartersville campus unveiled its new Steam Cafe with a grand opening on Tuesday, Nov. 5, drawing a cheerful crowd with free coffee, prizes and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The cafe, located on the second floor of the C building, will serve Starbucks drinks and snacks Monday through Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.

With additional state funding, Cartersville Campus Coordinator Anthony Snyder, Vice President of Office and Administration Jamie Petty, and Director of Student Financial Services Rebekah Wood developed the idea to expand student amenities with the new coffee shop.

“It was purely for the students,” Snyder said. “We wanted them to have a space on campus they can really call their own. We’re really excited to bring this about and continue to expand the services we offer to students.”

The cafe will provide students with convenience and comfort during the busy school day, eliminating the need to leave campus for a quick pick-me-up and offering a place to relax between classes.

“I love it because I don’t have to drive to Starbucks,” student Emily Martinez said. “The closest place is 15 minutes away, and then my parking spot is gone.”

“I am super excited that it’s finally open,” student Siren Van Leeuwen added. “It’s nice to have a place I can just kind of step down to and grab a drink, kind of get a little bit of a break.”

There is hope that the Steam Cafe will be the start of more accommodations offered to students, with anticipation to open another coffee shop on Floyd campus. Current plans for the cafe include allowing students to exhibit artwork and host open mic events.

“It’d be fun like a little collaborative space, really ensuring the students take ownership,” Snyder said.