Gonzaga Replaces Starbucks With Local Coffee

Gonzaga University is replacing the Starbucks in the John J. Hemmingson Center with Spokane-based Thomas Hammer Coffee after Commencement Weekend. (gonzaga.edu) Zag Dining said Starbucks will remain open through Commencement Weekend, with the last day of service set for Sunday, May 10, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (zagdining.sodexomyway.com 1) (zagdining.sodexomyway.com 2) During the summer transition, Gonzaga said coffee and refreshments will be available at Iggy’s Market while the Hemmingson café space changes over. (zagdining.sodexomyway.com) The switch lands in Gonzaga’s main student hub. The John J. Hemmingson Center is the university center for dining, lounges, meetings, and student programming. (gonzaga.edu) Gonzaga said the change is meant to deepen ties to Spokane, improve product quality, and strengthen financial stewardship in campus dining. (gonzaga.edu) Thomas Hammer is not new to Gonzaga. The company says founder Tom Hammer attended Gonzaga, earning degrees in 1991 and 1993 Master of Business Administration, and the brand already operates another campus location. (zagdining.sodexomyway.com) (gonzaga.edu) Gonzaga’s own coffee guide last year described Starbucks as the centrally located option in Hemmingson and Thomas Hammer as the local chain on campus with smaller-batch roasts. (gonzaga.edu) The university has not yet posted a full opening date for the new Hemmingson Thomas Hammer, saying only that more information is coming soon. (zagdining.sodexomyway.com)