Much to everyone’s relief, Hamilton College has slowly begun to return to normal following the chaos of COVID-19 that dominated the entirety of last year. The circle and square tables have returned to Commons, classes are once again meeting in person and seating has been reestablished in meeting spaces such as the Kirner-Johnson Building and the Science Center. However, even as we celebrate the reclamation of certain aspects of campus, it is impossible to ignore that a major part of former Hamilton life is missing this year: Café Opus is no longer in operation.
In the latter half of the spring semester, after 26 years as part of the Hamilton community, Café Opus managers Larry Bender and Sarah Goldstein announced their retirement. Over the years, Bender and Goldstein built Opus into an institution within Hamilton that provoked a cult-like following among students and professors.
Plastered with postcards, newspaper cartoons and yellowing polaroid photos, it was clear from the moment a customer stepped up to the ordering window that Opus was a well-loved member of the community. The couches and chairs that surrounded O1, Opus’ darkside location, established the home-like atmosphere for which so many students retreated to for study sessions and coffee dates. But, as last semester came to a close, Opus’ paraphernalia came down, the barista-selected playlists were turned off and students ordered their last chocolate chip cookies (heated up).
In early July, Hamilton’s administration announced Opus’ replacement, FoJo Beans. Owners Dan Joseph and Dan Foust opened their original location in Hamilton, New York, catering to Colgate University’s community. According to Hamilton’s announcement, FoJo beat out 14 competing proposals for the job with their excellent coffee, creative menu offerings and their overall compatibility with the operations of Hamilton College. Original concerns amongst the student body over who would take over the highly respected Opus spot were alleviated by FoJo’s status as a locally run business.
However, the first few weeks of the 2021 fall semester came and went without any on-campus coffee offerings. Students eagerly checked where Opus once was to see what had changed and hoped to find out when FoJo might becoming. The caffeine high that once drove campus dwindled to dangerously low levels until this past Friday, Sept. 10, when FoJo finally opened.
It was a welcoming sight to see students’ faces still at the register. Although many aspects of Opus have been lost with its departure, the continuation of student involvement promises that some of the former café’s moxie may live on. When I ordered my iced vanilla latte, Foust was behind the counter teaching a student barista the precise technique required to extract a tasty shot of espresso.
It was clear from his instructions that coffee was more to him than simply a mid-afternoon pick-me-up between classes. The exceptional taste of the latte further suggested that FoJo is a café that values high quality.
While the full breadth of the food menu has yet to be unveiled, current offerings range from classic bagel and cream cheese to Hot Oatmeal Cups. The Speciality Drink section of the menu advertises a FoJo Crusty Cappuccino — a classic Cappuccino with thickly foamed milk that holds up a sugar crust — and Hot Sipping Chocolate. Although limited in the first few weeks of operation, the FoJo menu offers the Hamilton community the opportunity to either try new things or stick with their classic coffee orders.
In my search for something like Opus’ beloved chocolate chip cookie, I bought a pre-packaged, “Incredibly Edible,” gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, grain-free, soy-free and vegan chocolate chip cookie. While I commend FoJo for offering food items that are inclusive to all diets, I would strongly recommend against buying this cookie. Next time, I will be trying their Big Cookie instead.
Among Hamilton students, the loudest and most widely-held critique of FoJo is the pricing at the café. What was once a 12 oz. drip coffee for $2.07 at Opus is now a 10 oz. drip for $3.00 at FoJo. What was once a 12 oz. hot latte for $3.26 at Opus is now a 12 oz. hot latte for $4.50 at FoJo. The campus has been overrun by rumors as to why there is such a significant price discrepancy between the two cafés. But no matter what you believe, there is no denying that Hill Card funds will be draining quickly this semester.
After only a few days on campus, it is clear to see that, perhaps unlike Opus, FoJo is a fully operational business. Baristas are trained in making sales, not just chit-chatting with friends, and prices reflect the demands of business proceedings, not just the limitations of student funds. As a community, we can not fault FoJo for running their café in a manner that will allow them to be successful. Rather, let’s hope that with time the Hamilton community can soften the corporate coldness that FoJo seems to have. Before we create and spread a petition among the student body, let’s allow FoJo to hang new photos, cultivate new playlists and maybe revisit their cookie offerings in the coming months.
Editor’s Note: As of Sept. 15, FoJo decreased their on-campus cafe prices, which was after the submission but before the publication of this article.
