Students returning this fall can expect to see a variety of changes across campus, but perhaps the most noticeable will be a raise in prices at Starbucks.
The company wide changes will result in 5 to 20 cent raises in prices, depending on the drink. A small cup of black coffee, previously $1.91, will now cost $2.02 including tax.
“We’ll be encouraging students to use reusable cups,” Starbucks manager Nancy Behrendt said. “You can save up to 50 cents every time that you bring it in.”
Other changes students can expect to see will include the availability of mini Frappuccinos and cold brew coffee.
“Cold brew coffee is brand new,” Behrendt said. “Instead of brewing coffee double strength and it being hot, cold brew coffee is actually steaped like we brew tea in cold water for 20 hours.
“So it’s a lot more flavorful without that bitter kick like [hot] coffee sometimes does.”
New food items have also been added to the menu including sandwiches such as roast beef on sourdough and foldovers.
Despite the price increases, Starbucks prices remain similar to many of the other options on and surrounding campus.
Lipscomb’s newest dinning option Au Bon Pain offers small coffees at $1.79 without tax and a 50-cent discount with a refillable mug.
The Well, located across from campus on Granny White Pike, offers drip coffee for $2.20 for a 12 ounce drink and $2.50 for a 16 ounce including taxes. Drip coffee is not available after 3 p.m.
Down the street from campus in 12th South other choices include Portland Brew, where a small cup of coffee is $1.91, tax included, with a free refill, and Frothy Monkey, where an eight ounce coffee costs $2.68 including tax.
According to Forbes, the rise in Starbucks’ prices is the result of increasing production costs due to a drought in Brazil where coffee is largely produced. Coffee prices elsewhere may rise as a result, though there are still a variety of options to choose from.