In an equitable exchange, AC released Palace from several months of its remaining lease and acquired the coffee shop’s furnishings, all of which will be used when the College establishes its own coffee shop in the same space.

AC will begin filling the void on Monday, March 23 by establishing a free coffee and iced tea self-serve station for students, faculty and staff on the first floor of the College Union Building.

Free coffee and tea will be available from 7:30-11 a.m. weekdays throughout the remainder of the spring semester.

Personnel from the AC Bookstore will use the ensuing months to develop a business model featuring expanded, reasonably priced offerings to ensure the new enterprise, when it officially opens, is both enticing and sustainable.

“We’re very excited about the possibilities this presents,” Andrew Flores, manager of the AC Bookstore, said. “We plan to utilize this space in a way that incorporates a lot more student clubs and organizational activities, while providing affordable refreshments our entire College community will enjoy.”