As the second month of the school year comes to a close, the Hiller Cafe approaches its one-year anniversary since their grand opening. Within the last year, the cafe’s popularity has increased tremendously amongst students and staff.
Due to the Hiller Cafe’s boom in customer traffic, it was necessary to make a few tweaks in their operating hours. Although the cafe doors were open until period six last year, the cafe has decided to close up shop before period four.
This way, the cafe stays away from disturbing the lunch rush.
As a reaction to the sudden influx of customers, the cafe is also looking for more students to help behind the counter. The first students who have this opportunity are students of Mrs. Giorgi’s and Mrs. Belleville’s classes along with those taking business classes. Once all of these students are accounted for, the cafe opens up its doors to upperclassmen in NHS with a study hall during the first three periods of the day.
“Our students have the opportunity to get viable work experience right here at Trinity. Having that in-house work site for our kids teaches them so many job skills without having to leave school. Even our registers are the same ones being used in real restaurants, so they’re also learning how to work with that type of equipment with training,” says Ms. Dawn, one of the advisors of the Hiller Cafe.
The cafe itself has also made noticeable changes to the Trinity environment overall. By bringing students from every walk of life together over one common interest, the Hiller Cafe has built up an incredibly positive social climate for Trinity.
Whether they are behind the counter or are ordering the perfect cup of coffee, students are interacting with a much wider variety of people now more than ever.
“Instead of going to Starbucks or Dunkin’ before school, kids are coming here (Hiller Cafe) to get their caffeine fix in the morning. It uplifts the school culture in an innovative and productive way,” reports Mrs. Giorgi, another advisor of the cafe.
Trinity’s Hiller Cafe has even been an inspiration to other schools in the area. Districts such as Avella have visited the cafe and are inspired to create their own version of the Hiller Cafe.
The cafe has no intention of slowing down business anytime soon. New products are always becoming available to customers, such as their lemonade and raspberry iced tea. Even beyond cafe items themselves, there are plans to implement a coffee club for students to take part in.
Overall, the Hiller Cafe has seen much success in their inaugural year. Stay tuned for updates, Hillers!
