Student opinions of the new Copper Dome Cafe

Since school has been in session, students have been flocking to the new Copper Dome Cafe.

Last year, the only restaurant located in this area of the University Center was Panda Express. Due to the popularity of the new cafe, more students occupy the seating area than ever before. Junior nursing major Kristen LaBarge has noticed a new influx of students in this area of the University Center since the cafe’s opening.

“I do think there's a lot more students back here,” LaBarge said. “Before, I would come here as a quiet place to study, but now you almost can't because there are so many people.”

It is clear that the landscape of this area has been drastically changed by the cafe.

The Copper Dome’s opening has brought another place to Semo’s campus where you can use your meal swipes that come with a meal plan. Before this semester, the only places you could use your meals were Towers Landing in the Towers Complex and St. Vincent Commons in the Dobbins River Campus Center.

However, Houck’s Place, formerly located in Merick Hall, was permanently closed with the cafe's opening. This was another venue where students could use their meals as well as purchase drinks and snacks.

Sophomore social work major with minors in psychology and global studies, Ana Plaster enjoys the Copper Dome Cafe. However, she recalls Houck’s Place fondly.

“I did love their sandwiches,” Plaster said. “But I also like that [Copper Dome Cafe] is at the [University Center] so it's more accessible.”

Though the campus closed a popular meal swipe venue, it seems that the cafe will drive more traffic to the University Center. With the location of Houck’s Place being at the edge of campus, it makes sense why the university would close this location. In addition to placement, Houck’s place also lacked variety, which is one thing that students are positively noting with Copper Dome Cafe.

The Copper Dome Cafe is similar to Tower’s Landing in providing a variety of dining. However, students seem more pleased with the choices provided in Copper Dome Cafe, making it a much-needed addition to the University Center.

Senior middle school social studies major with a minor in math, Jesse McClure, said that he thinks Towers Landing now has competition with the opening of the new cafe.

“There's a bunch of different options[at the Copper Dome Cafe],” McClure said. “I think it[Towers Landing] has competition.”

Copper Dome Cafe provides options such as hot breakfast from 7 am to 9 am, personal pizzas, sandwiches, Latin-inspired dishes, homestyle dishes, and free grab-and-go items included with your meal swipe.

In comparison, Tower’s Landing has items such as hot breakfast from 7 am to 10 am, homestyle dishes, burgers, chicken tenders, loaded 32oz salads, baked pasta, pizza, and free grab-and-go items. Gluten-free options are available at both locations, although Towers Landing provides meatless chicken tenders and burgers.

Overall, students seem to be impressed with the Copper Dome Cafe, making it a great addition to the University Center.