Northeast Regional Center’s Café Reopens with a Celebration

College leadership, staff and students gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 13 to mark the café’s return, which will serve a growing NERC community. 

The café closed in March 2020, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting shift to remote instruction, reduced on-campus activity, and public health considerations. As on-campus enrollment and student presence have steadily increased since then, the demand for accessible and affordable food options has also grown.

“Bringing the café back into service is a direct response to student feedback, campus surveys, and public health considerations as student enrollment and demand for accessible and affordable food options have increased,” said Dr. Alycia Marshall, president of Community College of Philadelphia. “You all took the time to tell us what the community needed, and we listened.”

The decision to reopen the café is student-centered and needs-driven, with student feedback, campus surveys and daily observations indicating a clear need for convenient food and beverage options that supported students who spend extended time on campus for classes, work and academic support services.

With the reopening of the café, a handful of student work opportunities have also become available. Mekhribon Asadullaeva and Justin Rhoades are two students who are working in the café this semester. “Working at the NERC Café has been a great experience so far. I really like the job, especially because it helps me develop strong communication skills while working with others and interacting with customers,” said Mekhribon.

And for Justin, he loves bringing joy to his fellow students. “The most important part for me is seeing the other students' faces light up when they realize they now have the option to grab lunch between classes, or before they start them,” he said. “The café was long overdue, and I'm glad to be a part of what we have now.”

The café is set to operate as a grab-and-go concept, offering quick, affordable and familiar food choices designed to accommodate busy student schedules. Planned offerings include

fresh salads and yogurt options, hot items such as fries and chicken tenders, coffee and tea selections, and convenient packaged and ready-to-eat items.