Students at the University of Tulsa (TU) have a new location to get their caffeine fix. And it happens to be the largest Starbucks in Oklahoma at 3,014 square feet. The goal behind the new location was to provide a space where students could gather and study, according to a statement. The Starbucks location is also open to the public, further establishing itself as a communal space.
The university hosted a soft opening event for students and staff in Oct., leading up to the grand opening in Nov. The grand opening event included sampling of Starbucks offerings, and a special appearance by Goldie, the university’s canine ambassador.
Faculty and staff were also treated to a special hour of tasting, including mini Frappuccinos and other Starbucks staples.
Other opening day activities included a live string quartet performance, a photo booth, free giveaways for students and a cup design competition.
The opening was a success, with over 2,500 beverages sold on campus during the first day and over 8,800 in the first week.
"As the largest in the state, our success goes beyond size. It's in every warm greeting, shot of espresso, shared moment, or late-night study session; making this Starbucks a special place for our students and guests to gather, and pouring into the true heartbeat of our campus and community,” said Kari Ledford, Sodexo’s director of operations at TU, in a statement.