New Rich ‘n Pour Cafe & Lounge opens in Rich Hall
A student worker puts up the new menu at the Rich 'n Pour Cafe & Lounge. Photo by: Zachary Nusimow
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OSWEGO, N.Y – Rich ‘n Pour Cafe & Lounge in Rich Hall at SUNY Oswego has officially been renamed and reopened under the new management of business students.
SUNY Oswego Officer-In-Charge Mary Toale came to the grand opening event to applaud the students for getting the operation up and running in just one semester.
“We can’t do it alone, we have each other to help each other, and I couldn’t be happier to be here to see this come to fruition,” Toale said. “It is amazing that this is done. This class was this semester. The semester has another four weeks.”
For the last two years, SUNY Oswego’s School of Business did not have access to a coffee shop. This change in management and the reopening of the cafe brought excitement to many of the students taking classes in Rich Hall
“It’s pretty awesome. I mean I know this place was really big, especially pre-pandemic, so before I even came here,” said Jakob Bradley, a student at the event. “I’m glad to see that it’s back up and running, especially with students running it. I know it’s for a good cause so it’s awesome.”
The project to reopen the cafe shop under the management of business majors helps students prepare for life in the real world.
“Working here has been very enjoyable so far, you know it’s a pretty easygoing job, and to see the joy in the customers and see everything put together, it’s really cool to see,” said Michael Shetler, an employee at Rich ‘n Pour.
Ed Albert, who currently operates over 10 businesses, including Riverwalk Coffee in downtown Oswego, was chosen to be the executive mentor for the Rich & Pour project and has helped the students since day one.
“It was a pretty easy decision. They were enthusiastic from day one,” Albert said. “A start-up of any project like this is not always easy. I think there were some doubts along the way about if it can be done in one semester.”
The Rich ‘n Pour Cafe & Lounge hours are Mondays and Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.