USC

Illy Cafe to replace the Starbucks under Birnkrant Residential College

Students react to the news of the new café on campus.

Starting January 13, Illy Cafe will replace the only Starbucks location on campus that accepts Dining Dollars.

When students return to campus next semester, they will find a new place to get their campus caffeine fix where Starbucks used to be.

Dining Dollars will be available for use at the new Illy Cafe.

The Starbucks under Birnkrant Residential College, which is the only Starbucks to accept Trojans’ Dining Dollars, will be shut down and turned into an Illy Cafe. Starting next semester, the Illy Cafe will have a total of three locations on the USC UPC Campus (there is currently an Illy Cafe in Wallis Annenberg Hall and at Popovich Hall).

“This change ensures we offer a menu that is tailored to the preferences and needs of our community. We will also continue to provide a wide variety of grab-and-go meals and other beverage options to maintain convenience and variety,” Dirk de Jong, Assistant Vice President USC Hospitality & USC Hotel wrote to Annenberg Media in a statement.

Currently, there are four Starbucks locations and one inside Target in a two-mile radius outside of the USC Campus.

Hannah Cardona, a junior studying business administration, said she is sad to see Starbucks go.

“I personally really like Starbucks because you can rack up points and save money that way,” Cardona said. “So, I’m going to be a little disappointed – or actually extremely disappointed – because I love Starbucks.”

Even with this news, Cardona is open to try the Illy Cafe.

“I haven’t tried the cafe,” Cardona said. “Honestly, if it’s better than Starbucks, I can’t hate.”

There are many new options for students to look forward to at the Trojan Grounds featuring Illy Cafe.

“The newly renovated space will provide an inviting atmosphere for the campus community to enjoy premium Illy offerings, a selection of savory food items, and other convenient options,” de Jong said.

Atvika Gaui, a freshman studying business administration, expressed grief when hearing the news.

“It’s obviously disappointing because we have a lot of memories at Starbucks,”Gaui said. “We used to get coffee from here and there are some specific drinks from Starbucks that we really like.”

Gaui would like to create the same fun memories she had at Starbucks with Illy.

“We do like the new cafe that’s replacing Starbucks and let’s hope it’s the same as Starbucks for us,” she said.

Ella Zarrow, a sophomore studying law, history and culture, finds it unfortunate that the only Starbucks that accepts Dining Dollars is closing.

“I’m kind of sad because it’s convenient to have Starbucks on campus,” Zarrow said. “Especially if you have Dining Dollars to be able to go and grab a quick coffee.”

Dining Dollars are funds students can use at any USC Hospitality location, including retail cafes and coffee shops.

Zarrow said she is comforted by the fact that she knows the Illy Cafe menu.

“I am sad that it’s getting shut down,” Zarrow said. “But Illy does have good stuff, so it’s not the worst thing in the world.”

Sohaliya Dhadda, a freshman studying public relations, believes Illy Cafe should not replace Starbucks.

“I think it’s very sad that Starbucks is closing,” Dhadda said. “You already have an Illy Cafe at Annenberg, so I don’t see the point of opening another cafe here that’s the same.”

Jay Park, a graduate student studying business analytics, is a regular at the closing Starbucks, but he said he’ll be ok just as long as he can still get some caffeine.

“Well kind of disappointed to see Starbucks go because I get coffee every day here,” said Park. “To be honest, I don’t mind which coffee I get because it’s not like I’m that crazy about Starbucks coffee. If I can get coffee then I’m good.”