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People’s Place Café is a student-run coffee shop that has been serving up affordable cups of coffee on campus for 50 years.

This unique café, located in the lower level of Hendricks Chapel, is in the perfect spot for students to grab a cup of coffee or bite to eat on their way to class. Over its 50-year history, and as part of its distinctiveness, the café has only accepted cash. To limit hand-to-hand interactions that increase risk in the midst of COVID-19, and also to bring efficiency and convenience to their guests and staff, People’s Place now accepts all major credit cards and Apple Pay, and offers contactless purchase at the point of sale.

“We kept a tally of every time a customer asked to pay with credit, and it became so frequent that we decided to make the change. We’re excited because the addition of a credit card machine will not only increase business, but it’s also a safe option for customers and our staff,” says Sarah Butts ’21, a student manager of People’s Place.

People’s Place is managed by three student co-managers and employs 20 student staff members. A cup of hot coffee costs $1 and a cup of iced coffee costs $2. Bakery items cost between $1 to $2 per item. The addition of the credit card as a payment option will not change the café’s menu prices, and cash will still be accepted.

“We really have missed our customers during this past year and are excited to start welcoming them back,” says Butts. “We invite everyone to support our student-run small business and become regular customers.”

People’s Place is open Mondays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Tuesdays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and features a wide range of bagels, pastries, snacks, and hot and cold beverages. The café also features specialty foods from local businesses. On Mondays, vegan pastries from Fatcat Bakery are available for purchase. The café is celebrating its 50th year of business and is currently in the planning stages of selling clothing merchandise to celebrate this milestone.

“We entered into our 50th year facing more challenges than we could have ever imagined, but every day is a reminder how strong the cafe’s foundation is,” says Chloe Crookall  ’21, a student manager of People’s Place.

“We want our anniversary celebration to honor the community we’ve spent 50 years building, and provide space for its growth,” says Briana Okebalama  ’22, a student manager of People’s Place.

For more information and updates, visit the , call 315.443.3237 and follow People’s Place on Instagram @peoplesplacesu.

This story was written by Whitney Welbaum ’23.