More Than Coffee: De Fer’s Role in CMU’s Community
By Nicole Chiu
Carnegie Mellon University is fortunate to house one of the five Pittsburgh locations of De Fer Coffee & Tea. Its full name, Atelier de Fer, translating to “iron workshop” in Latin, is a fitting name for the popular concept that has become a heavily frequented spot early into this semester. With steady lines out the door, students don’t seem to mind waiting a few minutes for a quality beverage or a quick bite to eat.
Residing in its temporary new home in Resnik House while the Hunt Library is under construction, students have embraced the cozy ambience that De Fer has to offer. Located in a quieter part of campus, De Fer makes for a great spot to study, catch up with friends, or recharge in between classes.
Operations Manager Dave Sonney highlights that it’s not only the product quality, but also the personal interactions with staff members that draw students to De Fer. While Grubhub ordering is available, Sonney notes that many students prefer the face-to-face experience of chatting with baristas and watching their orders being made in real time.
Although only a few weeks into the fall semester, it’s clear that De Fer’s presence on campus has become more than about coffee. De Fer provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere for students to connect with one another, making it a valued part of the Carnegie Mellon community.
Check out CMU Dining’s website to learn more: https://apps.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/dining/conceptinfo/Concept/95