There has been a lot of talk about what might become of the beloved Coffee Cottage on the VTSU Castleton campus, but it appears that the new layout for VTSU has not even considered the building or its future.

Assistant Vice President of Campus Operations Michael Stevens, whose primary location is the VTSU Lyndon campus, said that while the overall plan for VTSU buildings is coming into the final stages in weeks to come, the fate of the Moriarty House that housed Coffee Cottage has not been a priority.

“There is a future possibility with the Coffee Cottage, but not in the first round of changes,” Stevens explained.  “The Coffee Cottage is not considered in the Master Plan, but we will think about future considerations.” 

Stevens’s response was in slight contrast to that of VTSU Castleton Student Government Association President Thomas Kehoe, who gave a slightly more optimistic view.

“There are a few options about the future of the Coffee Cottage,” Kehoe claimed.  

He said that Sodexo may be renewing their contract at the end of the year, although contractual information could not be disclosed.  

“Nothing has been decided at this moment,” he said. 

In the meantime, faculty, staff, and students alike are unhappy about the closure of the Coffee Cottage and the uncertainty of its future.  Dean’s Assistant Katherine Spaulding was disappointed to see the once bustling cafe close.

“We had another option besides Huden, so we would all walk to Coffee Cottage,” she said, adding that staffing was the most likely reason for the closure.  “The two people that worked there now work for Fireside.” 

Sodexo officials in previous interviews said the closure had more to do with a lack of student interest and sagging sales than staffing issues.

But the closure is impacting not just students looking for a smoothie or coffee on the academic side of campus. Many people forget or are unaware that there are still offices in the upstairs part of the Moriarty House. The building is still active, but with less recognition.

Assistant Director of Multilingual Students Services Mary Dinh said she misses the traffic and sense of community the cafe used to bring.

“It made us feel safe,” she said while discussing their department’s association with the Coffee Cottage.  “We call it the Moriarty House instead of the Coffee Cottage,” Dinh added with a hint of sadness.  “I would invite students downstairs for food and beverages…students and staff still use the bathrooms all the time.”

Dinh explained that the initial reason for closing was due to staffing issues.

“It was understaffed,” she said.  “It was only open three or four days a week.”

She explained that the constant changing of hours and limited open hours turned students away.  

Dinh also pointed out that the services offered in the building should be better advertised.  

“We should have a signpost advertising our program,” she said.

This sentiment was shared by McNair Program Director Britt Green, who also has an office upstairs.  

“It was really strong my first year,” she said of the Coffee Cottage.  “There was definitely a hustle and bustle,”

She explained that over time, staff had changed and when the student need for quick food and drink rose, the staff had to be shared between the Coffee Cottage and Fireside.  So, the two staff members in the Cottage were also working at Fireside.

She said the space should offer something for commuter students, like a lounge, or have something that would cater to non-residential students. 

“It’s a waste to have such a beautiful place not utilized,” she said.