A $3 million renovation is transforming the building’s first floor into a welcoming campus gathering place. The space that once housed a bookstore and combination café and convenience store will bring together CBU’s first official coffeehouse, a restaurant, a convenience store, and an area for small performances.
Cozy and Convenient Spaces
Tentatively named “The Student Hub,” the renovated space will be a place to gather, relax, eat, and study together.
“We wanted to make it really feel like a campus living room,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Beth Gerl. “Go, sit and read, order a meal, meet classmates, or listen to a performer. This renovation provides us with endless ways we can use the facility.”
That living-room feel starts with choices. Banquettes and tucked-away nooks will offer spaces for different needs, whether that means spreading out for a group project or finding a quieter place to read. Throughout the space, charging stations will help students stay connected, while gaming areas with TVs will offer a place to unwind.
The goal is a space that fits the rhythms of student life, including those of commuter and adult students who may have only a short break on campus. Whether students have ten minutes for coffee or an afternoon to spend with classmates, the new hub is being designed to make that time count.
Flexible Dining
Dining will be built around that same flexibility. A back-of-house kitchen will allow the restaurant to adjust its menu as student tastes change. Bowls could give way to sushi or Mediterranean-inspired options, for example, keeping the offerings fresh.
Cashless ordering through an app or kiosk will help students get their food and get on with their day. Those who order ahead through the app will receive a text directing them to a designated pickup dropbox, making it easier to grab a meal between classes.
Student input will continue to shape the experience after the doors open. Food service reports and targeted surveys through the app will help CBU track popular choices and identify what students would like to see next.
How It All Took Shape
The project grew out of both a longstanding campus need and an unexpected opportunity. CBU had been considering a first-floor renovation for a couple of years when a fire damaged the Thomas Center in October 2024. With repairs necessary, the university moved forward with a broader redesign.
Lakeland-based Renaissance Group became a key project partner, and CBU worked closely with food service provider Aramark, drawing on its experience with similar campus renovations across the country.
Now, those possibilities are taking shape as a new gathering place for students, faculty, staff, and guests. CBU is targeting a ribbon-cutting later this fall. For students, that means a new place to meet up, recharge, and make time together part of the everyday campus experience.
