Lehigh University Dining opens new library café

Lehigh University Dining by Sodexo heralded the grand opening of its newly created cafe inside the main entrance of the Fairchild-Martindale Library.

The Cafe features fresh hand-crafted breakfast and signature sandwiches like salami and prosciutto pesto baguette; tomato and mozzarella focaccia, garlic chicken Caesar ciabatta; noodle and grain salads; sushi; house-baked goods; and Peet's Coffee & Tea.

“Four years ago, we opened a small Peet’s Coffee service in a small lounge area of the basement of the Fairchild-Martinedale Library,” said Lehigh Dining General Manager Bruce Christine. “As time progressed, and student trends developed, we outgrew that small service. Both Lehigh Dining and Library administration recognized the need for an enhanced café.”

Christine says the library is one of the main areas of interest along with the University Center due to the cultural shift toward collaborate spaces.

With that in mind, meetings and planning began over a year ago with a feasibility plan, followed by a site plan evaluation which began the evolution of an entirely new landscape. The library’s administration, facilities management, Student Auxiliary Services and Sodexo successfully designed a collaborative workspace that keeps the culture and philosophy of the library whole.

The new space is now located on the main floor of the library with a great view of the campus crosswalks. This is a major thoroughfare for students as they walk to classes, the library or other buildings on campus.

Within the first two weeks of opening, according Lehigh Dining Retail Manager Jason Lenig, the new café has more than doubled sales compared to last year.

“Throughput of customers has been in excess of 1,000 per day and the dining team continues to receive great feedback from students, faculty and staff,” said Lenig.