On Tuesday, giddy Ross Beatty Jr.-Sr. High School students toured two locally-owned cafes in order to get ideas on how they would like to design and run their student-run coffee shop.

The two locations the students toured were La Place for Latte in Edwardsburg and Brew Ha Ha in Niles. At each, the students spoke with the owners, who shared their knowledge, tips and struggles.

“I am all about helping people with a hand up and letting them see what it’s all about,” said Joyce Bashara, the owner of Brew Ha Ha. “College is not for everybody. You don’t have to go to college to be a barista, and this job is a ton of fun. Especially today, with young kids, if you can do something to help them, do it. It’s tough out there.”

Some of the things students learned about were price points, the benefits of having a drive-thru, how much equipment costs, the training required to run a business and make coffee, and how much effort and dedication it takes to own and operate a small business.

“I don’t think people always realize how much work it takes,” said Cheri LaPlace, the owner of La Place for Latte. “I told them it’s something they’re going to really, really want to do.”

In addition to providing an educational experience, the tour also reassured students that the school district and the village do indeed intend on moving forward with a student-run coffee shop. Some were uneasy after learning the school was not going to get a grant it applied for to help fund the coffee shop.

“I think that there was some nervousness about moving forward [the students learned that we weren’t] getting the grant,” said Emilie Sarratore, the village manager. “So they’re excited to see that we’re still moving forward and continuing with the same plan that we’ve had all along. Now it’s the fun stuff.”

The students agreed.

“It’s been a while since we’ve actually done anything for the coffee shop,” said A.J. Evans, a junior at Ross Beatty Jr.-Sr. High School. “So it was good to get to see these shops.”

On Tuesday, May 8, will be the next business and education round-table, where students, school officials, members of the village and local business owners will meet to discuss what it will take to get the student-run coffee shop off the ground.

“With all the great minds we have in Cass and all the business leaders that are willing to participate, I think that we’re going to come up with a great plan,” Sarratore said.

“Absolutely. It just may take a little longer,” said Angela Piazza, superintendent of Cassopolis Public Schools. “But it’s a great learning process for the students because that’s how it is in the real world. You don’t always get the first grant you apply for. It usually takes a few tries.”