Urbana Middle School launches student-run coffee business

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — There’s a new coffee provider for Urbana Middle School. It’s run by students for teachers.

Karen Hollett’s special education class runs Tiger Brew Coffee Company, a rolling coffee stand that roams the halls. They start their day by rolling fresh brewed cups down the hall, or serving it up from the classroom.

Aside from the usual “Good morning,” staff members at Urbana Middle School are getting used to another phrase: “Would you like coffee or tea?”

“The kids love it, we love it, and the staff really loves it,” Hollett said.

The class gets help from school social worker Stephanie Menold-Smith and speech language pathologist Caitlin Rexroad.

“They’re able to develop different job skills,” Menold-Smith said.

They said the coffee business is also helping some of these students come out of their shells.

“One student that was very shy, I wouldn’t go out of the room at all the first day,” Hollett said. “And by the second or third time we did it, he was taking orders and collecting money.”

Students sell coffee and tea for a couple of dollars, but staff said what they get in return is so much more.

“Like the joy that it brings them and the skills that it’s helping them develop has been really great to see,” Menold-Smith said.

Tips earned are used for fields trips, like the class’s latest to The Main Scoop. Teachers hope to expand drink options for non-coffee drinkers and maybe even pair with other classes to offer baked goods.

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