Since Sept. 17, Daytime Java has been serving coffee and community in the Johnston Center. Located in the kitchen at Bekins Hall, it operates from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and is run by students in Professor Kelly Hankin’s “Eat, Slay, Caffeinate” class. Hankin is the Professor of Film Studies and Media & Communication at the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies, and students already seem to be enjoying her class.
“I’ve always loved cooking and now I’m able to do a class on it,” Aster Holman, a junior in Hankin’s class, said. “[Daytime Java] also gives work experience without a job, and so it helps with things like a resume.”
The current menu consists of classic coffee shop items like bagels, eggs, baked goods and drinks, but it is continually expanding as the students experiment with new recipes.
Hankin’s personal favorite item is a hot oat milk latte, with one pump of sugar-free salted caramel syrup.
“It’s really good,” she said. “I think that combination of salty sweetness gives it the perfect balance. And the espresso machine makes really good foam so it’s just hot and creamy and feels so nice.”
Although Daytime Java is located in Bekins, it is open to all.
“We never turn anyone away,” she said. “We’ve also had lots of staff from the registrars’ office come and get coffee.”
Although it is not the most central location, Daytime Java is by no means lacking business. Since its first day, Daytime Java has been buzzing with caffeine and creativity.
“It has been amazing,” Hankin said. “When I came in after class, there were ten people crammed into Java and then people in the hallways.”
According to Hankin, Daytime Java was originally established roughly 17 years ago when the resident coordinator decided to let Johnston students use their kitchen space. She said business had gone well until the pandemic when Daytime Java, like other small shops, suffered. Along with this blow to business, Daytime Java experienced financial hardships as its work study positions were eliminated. Daytime Java ceased operations, even with the return to campus and lifting of social distancing, which did not seem right to Hankin.
“I decided I wanted to help bring community back,” Hankin said. “We’re of the mindset in Johnston that if something doesn’t exist, we make it happen,” she said.
However, Hankin did not just want to bring back the old. She imagined a new and improved Daytime Java that featured greater student responsibility and innovation, including upgraded equipment, an expanded menu and special events.
With these goals in mind, Hankin began crafting the course “Eat, Slay, Caffeinate” last fall where students would assist her in reviving the shop. Hankin got to work right away, purchasing new cooking equipment and sprucing up the seating area with general maintenance and decluttering over the summer.
Financial support for the shop, Hankin said, were graciously financed by alumni donations and additional Johnston funds. After such preparations, Daytime Java finally opened its doors for business on Sept. 17, about two weeks after the first day of school.
“I wanted it to be up and running right away so [first year students] could have Java as part of their first year experience at Redlands,” she said.
Daytime Java did exactly that for Maluisa Fuentes, a freshman in Hankin’s class, by providing the opportunity and atmosphere for socializing.
“It was hard for freshmen because we wanted to meet everyone, but you don’t have time. Everyone is in their own world,” Fuentes said. “But now that we’re here, it’s so easy.”
Students rotate through three 2-hour shifts, with typically three students working at a time: a barista, baker and server.
The time and energy spent supervising the operation have been difficult, Hankin said.
“I’m trying to not dream Java every night and what needs doing,” she said. “That’s the challenge when you’re a manager and overseeing something. You’re constantly focusing on what you need, what’s not working, if students didn’t do ‘X’ or how we can get consistency, efficiency – all of these things.”
Thankfully, Hankin has over 20 pairs of helping hands. She said the students have eagerly stepped up to the task and taken on additional responsibilities. For instance, Hankin said one of her students interested in economics asked to be the accountant while another organizes scheduling. Not only does this lighten Hankin’s workload, but it individualizes the class and enables students to express themselves.
“What I love is that the students are really coming up with different interests and classes to collaborate with,” she said. “Leaders have emerged.”
Like all projects, Daytime Java comes with its challenges. Hankin said the small kitchen space leads to crowding. She also said training consistency is difficult, especially in regards to food because of the numerous personal preferences of student workers. However, Hankin is not too worried about uniformity because she wants to foster personality and growth in this work environment.
Fuentes said she appreciates this patient atmosphere, especially since these tasks are unfamiliar for many of the students.
“We don’t feel pressure,” Fuentes said. “We have to learn, but everyone’s like, ‘Don’t worry. Take your time.’”
In operating Daytime Java, Hankin said the students gain valuable skills and experience. They learn how to manage a coffee shop, make food and coffee, and gain creative marketing experience. Hankin also pointed out how they gain professional skills that apply to all jobs, such as punctuality, responsibility and work ethic. The negative stereotypes surrounding Gen Z and the resulting resistance of employers to hire these individuals makes these skills even more crucial to possess, Hankin said.
“That’s what [employers] are talking about but that’s not going to be you because you’re developing skills here for the workplace,” Hankin told her class.
Along with developing professional skills, Hankin said Daytime Java benefits students’ mental health; serving coffee and treats and socializing with customers is a pleasant break from reading textbooks all day.
Looking toward the future, Hankin said her class is considering adding weekend hours. Her students have also been brainstorming new marketing ideas, such as the coupons for those who registered to vote during the Oct. 11 Johnston National Convention.
Those interested in enhancing their snack routine can follow Daytime Java on Instagram @javaredlands or simply stop by and visit with the students who keep community brewing at the University of Redlands.
McKenzie Rose is a freshman at Redlands with interests in Environmental Studies and Journalism. She worked for the last three years as a freelance journalist with the Hermiston Herald, a newspaper near her hometown of Echo, Oregon. She is looking forward to covering the interesting, the exciting, and the intriguing happenings at the university for the Redlands Bulldog!
