Nestled in the bottom of Lowder Hall is many students’ favorite study spot or place to grab a quick pick me up: Starbucks. Since its opening in 2014, this Starbucks, which is one of two on campus, has become a hot spot for Auburn students, especially business majors.
For many, the Starbucks is a great place to study, unwind, grab a drink or meet up with friends, especially if those friends are in business classes. Operating hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m Friday.
“If I’m meeting up with someone near the business school, it's almost always here. I do hear a lot, ‘Let’s meet at the Lowder Starbucks,’ or ‘I’m near the Lowder Starbucks.’ It’s definitely a central location. For me, I mean, half my classes are just upstairs,” said Sara Sims, junior in marketing
The ambiance of Starbucks also makes for a great study spot.
With a total of 80 seats, the interior is thoughtfully designed, with many spots nestled into comfortable corners or tables backed up to the wall that provide students with nooks to get focused in. However, during rush hours, these seats get snatched up quickly.
“It’s a great environment that’s conducive to studying… provided it’s accessible, and there are spots,” Sims said.
The seating poses a problem to other students as well.
“Previously, I’ve come here in the mornings, or around lunch, and it's chaotic and impossible for me to get a spot and study. But if it’s open, it’s really nice,” said graduate student, Laurel Munroe.
Sara Mattews, manager of the Starbucks, commented on the lunchtime rush.
“I would say from 9 o'clock to about 12, everyone- or it feels like everyone- is in here. Then it starts calming down about 12:15, 12:30," said Mattews.
Mattews has been working at the Starbucks since May, and the manager since July.
“Now I manage the baristas and the operational aspects, but I’m still up front and making drinks- I like to stay engaged,” Mattews said.
Mattews listed the pumpkin spice latte and the apple crisp shaken espresso as the most popular fall drinks this season.
“The pumpkin spice latte is the most popular, and the apple crisp shaken espresso, as a new product, has hit very well. But everyone's ultimate favorites, no matter what new seasonal drink comes in, are the caramel macchiato and the brown sugar shaken espresso,” Mattews said.
Chelsea Sneed, another employee of Lowder Starbucks, also commented on the prevalence of the pumpkin spice latte.
“What I definitely hear the most of is pumpkin spice- everyone wants a pumpkin spice latte,” Sneed said.
However, the caramel macchiato seems to hold a special place in students’ hearts. Mattews explained that aside from seasonal drinks, about eight out of ten drink orders are caramel macchiatos.
This coming week is an exciting one for the Lowder Starbucks.
Tuesday, Oct. 24, they are hosting a pop-up shop and advertising a new drink created by one of their baristas Jaylin Clayton.
The drink is a strawberry shortcake frappuccino. The popup will go on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and take place again from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“There will be free samples and a table set up with balloons and stuff, and people will be able to buy the drink if they want to,” Mattews said.
The baristas enjoy creating their own beverages and rotating through seasonal menus. On Nov. 3, Christmas drinks and pastries will be making their return.
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