With the grand opening of Cafe Camino last week, students and faculty can expect a new place to meet and greet, get some food and be a part of the campus, President Thomas Fallo said.
Fallo cut the blue ribbon at the grand opening on April 19 of the newly constructed cafe behind the Humanities Building.
The cafe was officially open to the public on Monday.
“We want to introduce to the community and campus our brand new Humanities Mall Project,” Fallo said.
Fallo presented a speech in front of Cafe Camino while people gathered around to welcome the new project.
“I’d like to thank all the construction and development people and all involved in helping to put this project together,” he said.
The $2.4 million project was originally thought of in 2002 when the college sought a bond initiative. The actual planning occurred in April 2009.
“We were successfully supported by our community and we’re very thankful for them,” Fallo said.
The name, Cafe Camino, has always been a part of the planning process.
“This was sort of an upper end of the cafe area,” Fallo said. “Camino’s our name, so Cafe Camino seems exactly right for it.”
The Humanities Mall Project completes the Humanities Building Project that opened in spring 2008.
“Cafe Camino is replacing the Munchie,” Fallo said.
The project provides hardscape, landscaping and a food service venue in the area surrounded by the MCS Building, Humanities Building and the Schauerman Library.
“I’m glad they finally have a place where I can get food by the Humanities Building, because before I had to walk way out of the way of my class to get something to eat, and sometimes I just don’t have the time for that,” Sumayyah Khan, biology major said.
Cafe Camino will serve hot and cold breakfast and lunch.
“We’re serving healthy choices for all to enjoy, such as teriyaki and salmon and other healthy choices,” Charles Siri, director of food and beverage, said.
Kay Kasayapanam, manager of Cafe Camino, said that they try to offer different types of foods from other campuses.
“We had a little trouble with the frappuccino machine, but we worked as a team and we had someone come in and correct the problem because we want the campus to be satisfied with our services,” Kasayapanam said.
Kasayapanam said that they have been really busy because everyone wants to try the new place.
“This is great. It is hard to find a spot on campus to sit down and eat and finally I can do that. It is real nice,” Tara Baskin, 22, criminal justice major, said.
The Humanities Building and Cafe Camino replaced the college’s last original “barracks-type” structure, trucked up more than 60 years ago from Santa Ana Army Air Base in Orange County, Ann Garten, director of Community Relations, said.
The “barracks-type” structure served as the classrooms the Army used as classroom in the 40s. They are kind of like bungalows.
According to a press release, the Humanities Building and the Humanities Mall are designed to serve as the “front door” to the campus from Crenshaw Boulevard.