A coffee shop inside Middleton High School? In a building full of students and teachers who are always running late, caffeine-deprived and too-busy-for-breakfast, the Cardinal Cafe seems too good to be true. But this festive alcove next to the MHS South Cafeteria is just that and more. It is a coffee shop for students, a hub of social activity and a place to grab a snack before class – all at a fraction of the cost and distance.
The Cardinal Cafe works in tandem with the North cafeteria line, offering the same breakfast items in an alternate location on the South side of the building. However, the Cafe is much more than just a traditional breakfast line – they offer a rotating menu of handcrafted iced and hot coffee drinks, hot tea, fruit, juices and baked treats.
Since the Cafe’s opening last year, Lead Susan Steele and Assistant Lead Jill Enerson have been constantly working to update and expand the menu.
“We started doing monthly flavors – this month, for example, the featured flavors are Chocolate Mint and Sugar Cookie,” Steele said.
“Down the line, it would be nice to have more types of coffee drinks – lattes, like a full out Starbucks,” Enerson added.
Their plans for the Cafe’s future do not stop at drinks or breakfast items; starting soon, the Cafe is hosting “Tuesday Tunes” in collaboration with the MHS Orchestra program to showcase student musicians and create a “warm and welcoming” environment for MHS members.
In addition to the obvious benefit of its location, the Cardinal Cafe serves as a cost-saving alternative to other coffee and breakfast venues.
“It’s very cost efficient for students,” Enerson said. “We want to make sure students know that if they have Free and Reduced lunches and breakfast, they can get those here.”
Only a la carte options, such as yogurt parfaits and specialty drinks, are not included in Free and Reduced plans. All students can either charge their purchase to their school lunch account with their student ID or pay with cash.
Given its unique position as both a school lunch line and an independent coffee shop, running the Cardinal Cafe is not as easy and straightforward as Steele and Enerson make it seem. As with all of MHS’ food options, the Cafe has to adhere to MHS Food and Allergy guidelines and Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! school nutrition program. Finding menu items that fit within the regulated sugar, salt and calorie guidelines has been one of the Cafe’s biggest obstacles.
The Cardinal Cafe also offers job opportunities for students. A participant of the MHS Youth Apprenticeship program, the Cafe is currently seeking applicants for next school year.
“It’s a great opportunity for students,” Enerson said. “It’s right in school, they don’t have to drive anywhere, they can get right to their classes, and they get to see what goes on behind the scenes.”
In tandem with the North and South Cafeterias, the Cardinal Cafe also employs students and alumni with disabilities through the Transition Program. Those interested can contact Dave Thomas to request information about employment opportunities at the Cardinal Cafe.
Whether you are looking for a warm and cheery drink, a nutritious breakfast, a quick treat on your way to class or even a part-time job, the Cardinal Cafe has something to offer everyone at MHS. Stop by the South Cafeteria between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. and discover what one MHS student described as a “hotspot for people to connect and enjoy their morning before class!”
