The university coffee shop implements new protocols and adaptions to stay open through the month of September.
By Jacqueline Smith
WASHINGTON – The Bridge, a student-run coffee shop at American University, reopened for the month of September but must gage the success of business to decide if it will remain open for the entire semester. The shop is currently operating with orders to-go and limited socially-distanced seating indoors for customers comfortable with this option, but the business plans to continue adapting to maintain business.
Masks are required while indoors, stickers on the ground indicate where customers should stand when ordering to social distance, and a plexiglass barrier at the counter separates customers and the employee. An online ordering option through Google forms recently became available and requires customers to enter only their first names, AU ID, and order online before picking up their orders at the door. “Bagel Sandwiches of the Week” are another new addition and these freshly made orders are advertised daily on The Bridge’s Instagram, @thebridgecafe_au
David Gonzalez, the manager at The Bridge, is rather optimistic about the uncertainty surrounding his business’ reopening and is excited to reexamine in order to adapt. He explains that “every semester is always going to be different and we’ve always approached the Bridge in a way where we were never supposed to be just a coffee shop.” Gonzalez’ greatest concern upon reopening was getting his employees hours after American University students were suddenly sent off-campus last March due to the pandemic but his goal is to continue to maintain steady business so that his employees can continue receiving a paycheck.
For some employees, the reopening of The Bridge was a key factor in their decision to return to DC, despite the potential risk of closing again. Assistant manager Maddie McCarthy is an employee who took a chance, but she’s holding out and is hopeful that business will continue through September. McCarthy shared that work is slower now, especially with limited resources available on campus, but explains that “it’s been really nice to see that people are still coming in and still want to support on-campus businesses.” Despite the changes made and potential risks, she’s finding a silver lining in the strengthening camaraderie she’s seen in her coworkers and says, “we all want The Bridge to be open so we’re trying our best and it’s been so nice to see us all come together in this way, especially because it’s not what we were expecting.”
Employee Olivia Gonyea is also excited to be back at work and reflects on The Bridge’s business throughout September with confidence. She explains that there’s been a good turnout this past month and she’s hopeful to remain open so that she can continue seeing customers and coworkers. The biggest obstacle for her so far has been adjusting to the new environment at The Bridge, where seats typically packed with studying students are now empty. Regardless, Gonyea is grateful that customers come in even though campus is closed, and she encourages DC residents to continue stopping by. “We’re here and open 10 to 5 Monday through Friday. We really want to see people and we have some cool stuff coming up, we have bagel sandwiches every week and probably some new drinks too- we’re also selling growlers of the nitro. We definitely miss everybody but you can still come on in!”
In the meantime, The Bridge will continue to make adjustments to keep customers coming back. Gonzalez remains determined as he measures the success of business so far and considers what the following months will have in store as he finds his footing. “It’s going to be slow. But knowing that has really given us a chance to figure out how we can make it profitable knowing that we’re going to be slow. We thrive off of regulars … we have people that come in and a lot of our baristas already know their orders and that’s our bread and butter. That’s how we survive.”