The Midnight Mug, Students of Georgetown Inc.’s new coffee shop located on the second floor of Lauinger Library, is anticipated to reopen for business today at noon.
The coffee shop originally opened on Jan. 21 and ran into immediate regulatory trouble when it was discovered that the University had issued an incorrect Certificate of Occupancy. The shop was subsequently closed until the proper documents could be obtained.
“Everything is cleared up and we’re all really excited for the reopening,” said newly-elected Corp President Kelsey Shannon (CAS ‘04).
Shannon also noted that all the other necessary licenses had been properly received, including health and safety certificates, and that only a bureaucratic mistake had invalidated the Certificate of Occupancy.
According to Corp officers, the library and University have continued to be enthusiastic about the new cafe.
Though students expressed disappointment over the delay, the re-opening of the Midnight Mug remains warmly anticipated.
“It’s about time Georgetown had a hangout on the other side of campus,” said Sean Jones (CAS ‘05), adding, “Now Lauinger finally has a [good] place to take a study break.”
Shannon also announced the Corp’s plan to open a convenience store in the Southwest Quadrangle once it is completed. Though the new store will be modeled after Vital Vittles, much of the planning is limited by projected space constraints.
Initial discussions for placing a coffee shop in the library began over a year ago. The Corp and the library came to a formal agreement over the summer. Renovations of the planned space on the second floor began in October of last year and continued until early this month.
When it reopens, the Midnight Mug will join Uncommon Grounds and More Uncommon Grounds as the third Corp-owned coffee shop on campus.
