LOCAL FLAVOR
October 2007
With nearly 30 computers, a large flat screen TV and study areas, Jazzman’s Café is a full-service coffee shop custom designed for students but also serving the public.
The coffee shop is a partnership between Arkansas State University’s Information and Technology Services (ITS) Department and Retail Brand Group, which owns Sodexo food services and Jazzman’s Café. Created in 1998, Jazzman’s has more than 180 locations, but the ASU location is one of the only coffee shops in the franchise with a computer lab. Sodexho manages the café and food service while the ITS department runs and maintains the computers, including an onsite computer lab technician to maintain the lab and help patrons.
ASU opened the Internet café on the north edge of the ASU campus in September 2004 as a contemporary study area and gathering place for students. But by placing the location on the outskirts of campus, the university hoped it would encourage the general public to utilize the café as well. While wireless internet is only available to ASU students, faculty and staff, the desktop computers are open to everyone.
“Especially during the daytime hours we get a lot of the general public in here,” said Jazzman’s Café manager Katina Brown, who joined the Sodexho staff as manager of the cafe in January 2005.
Open during the week, the café has a small, steady flow of customers that come in between classes or work. Brown said the busiest time for the coffee shop is in the evening as students gather to study or socialize. But even during the busiest times of day, Brown said the café offers a different and relaxing atmosphere from other places in town.
“The jazz music we play is very relaxing and not just blaring music,” said Brown. “I can come in the evening and study my Bible and it’s quiet and relaxing.”
On game nights, the large flat screen TV is always set to the NFL, NBA or college games. Other times, patrons can request to change the television channel to programs of their choice.
While Jazzman’s is not open on the weekend, the facility can be reserved on the weekend or during the week for meetings, classes or groups.
“Professors often reserve it for meetings or classes,” said Brown. “Anybody can reserve it – church groups, organizations. We allow them to arrange the furniture to meet their needs or use the computers if they need.”
But what sets Jazzman’s Café apart from any other computer lab or study area on campus is the fact that it is a full service coffee house.
Jazzman’s Café features its own Jazzman’s proprietary coffee made from beans grown in farming cooperatives and communities around the world like Rainforest Alliance Certified in Columbia and Central America and the Fair Trade and Organic-certified in the Southern region of Ethiopia.
ASU’s Jazzman’s Café features six of the available flavors daily, including Jazzman’s Signature Blend, Jazzman’s Bold Note, Fair Trade Organic Blend and decaf versions of those blends. Various flavored coffees such as French roast, hazelnut, vanilla and cinnamon are also available.
A number of espressos, mochas, cappuccinos and other specialty drinks are also on the menu in tall, grande and supreme sizes. Other hot drinks include hot chocolate, chai teas and Republic of Tea brand hot teas.
For something a bit cooler, Jazzman’s offers iced coffee selections such as Iced House Blend, Iced Decaf Coffee, Iced Latte, Iced Mocha, smoothies and Cool Jazz Blast, a cool milkshake that’s smooth and creamy with a coffee flavor.
“Anything we do hot, we can do cold also,” said Brown.
Every 28 days, the franchise offers promotions that feature specific or new products often based on the season. Those promotions can range from one of their various drinks to pastries, sandwiches, soups or salads.
The local Jazzman’s café offers several salads – Jazzman’s salad, popcorn chicken salad, chef’s salad, roasted chicken Caesar and Cobb salad that rotate throughout the week. The café also rotates nine sandwiches throughout the week, including a smoked turkey BLT, mozzarella and tomato, pepperoni pizza panini, and roast beef and cheddar panini among other favorites.
Brown said Jazzman’s most popular sandwich is the Santa Fe turkey focaccia. Another popular choice is the tuna salad sandwich served on rye with lettuce, tomato and provolone cheese.
During the winter, the café offers a different promotional soup every 28 days and offers a soup and sandwich combo.
For breakfast or a quick snack, Jazzman’s pastry case features assorted muffins, cookies, brownies and bars, scones, turnovers and biscotti.
All food for the café is prepared and packaged fresh each day in the main Sodexho kitchen on campus and delivered fresh to Jazzman’s. The café does not have an onsite kitchen, but does have a grill to heat the paninis and other sandwiches.
One benefit for students who frequent the college campus coffee house is the café’s prices. Catering mostly to college students, the café’s are tailored more to students with hot drink prices ranging from $1.29 for a tall to $1.79 for a supreme. Iced coffee selections are $2.49 for a tall and $2.69 for a grande. Sandwiches range from $3.99 to $4.19. Acrylic tumblers are also available for regular customers and are refillable during each visit for $1.09.
Jazzman’s Café, 2503 North Johnson, is open Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m. For more information, call 680-4749.
- Story By Shaila Creekmore
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