April 13, 2015

by Zach Epstein

This morning, Dean Donna De Carolis, President John Fry, Saxbys Coffee founder Nick Bayer and U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah enjoyed the first espressos served at Drexel’s new Saxbys outpost during the store’s grand opening. Not just a standard coffee joint, the store is a partnership between Saxbys and the Close School, establishing the nation’s first 100 percent student-run café for co-op credit.

Bayer opened the festivities by telling the packed house how he launched Saxbys and learned from his mistakes along the way.

“Had Nick attended the Close School of Entrepreneurship, he might have avoided those mistakes,” joked President Fry.

Fry also discussed Drexel’s commitment to University City, while Bayer thanked Congressman Fattah for his work on behalf of the West Philadelphia community.

Already a presence on Drexel’s campus, Bayer was the keynote speaker at last year’s inaugural Drexel Startup Day. He will also teach a section of the Close School’s franchising class this fall.

The café was developed with the help of Drexel student Meghan Regan, while junior Kelsey Goslin will manage the shop full time. Both students joined the Saxbys team as part of their co-op, and a team of more than 18 Drexel students will work to operate the café.

All of the café’s artwork was provided by Drexel students. Meg Wolensky, Lily Amberg, Chris Cottitta and Max Frenner each contributed pieces.

“We want to give the Drexel community a café that is theirs,” Bayer told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Drexel Saxbys is now open to the public at 65 N. 34^th Street in University City.