TIM MAGAW | SUMMER KENT STATER

Credit: DKS Editors

It’s 8 a.m. and the alarm clock is ringing in your ears. You roll out of bed, get dressed and drag yourself out the door – still half asleep.

On your way to class, why not stop by Starbucks or Susan’s? Each has fresh brewed coffee, as well as hot and cold specialty drinks and pastries – just the right ingredients for a morning wake-up.

Starbucks Coffee

Starbucks, located at 436 E. Main St., offers up to 87,000 different drink combinations, according to the “Nutrition By The Cup” brochure located in the store. The store’s pastries, which have zero grams of trans fat, are shipped frozen and thawed as needed.

Manager John Richardson said the store should have lunch items, sandwiches and salads within a year, possibly by the spring semester.

Starbucks opens at 6 a.m, and Richardson said the store starts to get busy between 8 and 9 a.m. with spurts throughout the day. Starbucks does not accept FlashCash, but it is researching other Starbucks that do something similar.

Richardson pointed out that the store would have to add a separate machine to use specifically for FlashCash, so it would take some time for the transition to be completed. Cash, personal checks and all four major credit cards are accepted.

Richardson said what sets Starbucks apart from other coffee shops is the atmosphere and the service.

Lisa Fenda, senior communication studies major, said she prefers Starbucks and visits the store about two times a week. She said it has great service and the people are always so “chipper.”

Susan’s Coffee and Tea

Susan’s Coffee and Tea, located at 623 E. Main Street, has been serving the Kent and Akron areas since 1989. The coffee is fresh roasted every week, the pastries are baked fresh every morning and lunch items are all made-to-order.

Susan’s Vice President Milana Estrada said Susan’s serves more than 300 students daily during the regular school year.

The store, which opens at 6:30 a.m., sees the most business in the morning.

Susan’s accepts FlashCash as well as cash, personal checks and all four major credit cards.

“Susan’s is more of a community where people care about each other within the shop,” Estrada said. “People get to know each other and will go out of their way to help each other.”

Ciaran O’Keeffe, a Susan’s employee, said Susan’s has the appeal of an independently owned shop, and student’s appreciate the local feel.

Trevor Ivan, senior newspaper journalism major and former Stater staff member, said he visits Susan’s about once a week. He said everything there has been positive, and the atmosphere is very “homey feeling.”

“Here’s one bit of advice,” Ivan said. “If you’re going to put cream into your to-go order, tell them to leave room for the cream. Otherwise they’ll fill it to the brim.”

On-campus locations

Between classes, you can also stop by Jazzman’s, which offers a variety of coffee beverages as well as bakery and gourmet pastries, teas and smoothies.

Jazzman’s has three locations on campus: one in the lower level of the Student Center, one in the Eastway Market and Deli and one on the first floor of the University Library.

Contact news correspondent Michelle Moore at [email protected].