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Parkway North Opens Northern Lights Café in Library

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Senior Grant Handley pays employee and junior Taylor Simmons for his drink, while senior Sophia Ard hands over his drink. THEE Northern Lights Café is open before school from 7:00 am to 7:30 am, and from first lunch to third lunch.
Senior Grant Handley pays employee and junior Taylor Simmons for his drink, while senior Sophia Ard hands over his drink. The Northern Lights Café is open before school from 7:00 am to 7:30 am, and from first lunch to third lunch.

In addition to the new school year, new faces, new construction, and new classes, there is something completely new and different this year: The Northern Lights Café. The Northern Lights Café is a brand new, student-run coffee shop open before school (7 a.m.-7:30 a.m.) and during all lunches. It is located in the library.

The idea of the café was entirely the students. Beginning last year, students went through a lot of preparation to make the Northern Lights Café a reality.

“I suggested that there should be a café here, so I figured, ‘why not work there also?’” said sophomore Raneem Zari.

After initial approval, students had to figure out how to run the café without disrupting school and what to do with the proceeds. The proceeds from the café go towards helping out families in need throughout the community, and students work at the café and run the entire business side of the café.

“I like all of the social interactions I have. I’ve met all kinds of different people and it’s been fun,” said Zari.

Students who are interested in working at the café need to fill out an application available from business teacher Holly Weber and have third block open in order to be eligible to work at the Northern Lights Café.

“We’re hiring right now, but there are not too many more open spots so you’d have to hurry,” said Simmons.

As the year continues, the café will include various seasonal flavors. Until then, there is a suggestions box available where students and teachers can recommend flavors and even recommend music to play.

“We’re planning on getting a mini fridge to help with iced drinks. Also, there’s going to be a lot more flavors, such as the Pumpkin Spice Latte that comes out during the Fall,” said junior Taylor Simmons.

“The more people that buy stuff now, [it will help us] be able to expand and improve the shop,” said Zari.

Later in the year, the café will be offering several events to promote the café.

“Around September, there should be an event. We’re still planning it, and it’s going to be big, but it’s a secret,” said Simmons.

With Fall just around the corner and Winter arriving later in the year, the Northern Lights Café is a great expansion to the school. The hot drinks with a variety of flavors will be sure to make up for the cold classrooms here at North.

by Sagar Samuel, profile perfectionist