Behrend's food and housing services added to its operation with the installation of the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Center (AMIC) located on the southern tip of campus. Although the building itself is not designated specifically for food and housing services, the new building happened to come with a surprising addition, a new Tim Hortons. With success during the original hours of operation, opened Monday - Friday, ownership has announced they will begin to open over the weekends as well.

   

The Canadian coffee company became an installment on campus with the opening of the new innovation center. Since then ownership has been adapting their business plan to the ebbs and flows of student and faculty activity on campus. Now management at the breakfast stop is looking to take steps to ensure students professors faculty and off-campus patrons can enjoy a fresh brew and warm doughnuts throughout the week by announcing their plan to remain open on Saturdays and Sundays.

   

When it initially opened in March of 2016 the coffee shop was only operating during the week to provide an establishment aside from Bruno’s or Metzger's to-go coffee stand for students to plug in and refuel for the school day. Ownership decided to remain closed on the Saturdays and Sundays seemingly since Behrend’s student population consist heavily of commuters who would not be on campus and the number of students who return home on the weekends. However, seeing the demand for their establishment extending throughout the weekend ownership has decided to leave the doors open for the weekend rush.

   

Although it's been refreshing to have a new brand of coffee on campus, for those who may not enjoy the robust taste of Starbucks coffee, the location on the south side of campus results in light foot traffic from the majority of Behrend’s population. There are few reasons students climb the hill, but a cup of fresh coffee might just be enough.

   

Brandon Wilson is a sophomore English student here at Penn State Behrend and has had an inside look at the adapting operation, working for Tim Hortons since September of 2017. While few students hike the hill solely for Tim Hortons, students who have class in AMIC have provided a steady stream of clientele for the establishment. Wilson saying, “foot traffic is scarce due to the location on campus, but the students who are in the building have provided a customer base for us.” He hopes that more students will take advantage of the location on campus now that it is planning on being open through the weekends.

   

While foot traffic has been light due to the location, the warmer weather usually keeps more students on campus in between classes walking between class and apartment building. With the surge in the population remaining on campus as spring rolls in, Tim Hortons hopes more students will begin to stop in.