Vaughn DiBattista (vadibattista@ursinus.edu)
It’s been about two years since Cafe 2020 made its debut at Ursinus College, and it’s safe to say it’s a student-favorite. It’s the perfect spot for an iced coffee, a warm pastry, and a vast selection of flatbreads and paninis. Every day, you can find a line past the bookstore filled with energy-craved students chomping at the bit to get their fix. With Cafe 2020’s recent success, most of us tend to look past the faces behind the operation. It’s easy to take Cafe 2020’s work for granted, however, there is a person to credit their success. Who is the smile behind our coffee? Who is the kind conversationalist that gives us our tea? That would be Alexis Kimble.
Alexis Kimble serves as the supervisor for Cafe 2020. She specializes in catering, food service, and putting a smile on customers’ faces. There is not a day that passes by where Alexis does not come to work eager to serve the students of Ursinus College.
“I would love to start off by saying, boy you guys drink a lot of coffee!” exclaimed Kimbel hot off a lunch rush. “It’s a very fast-paced environment, and I love it just because of that. I see most students 4 or 5 days a week and I love getting to know them and hearing about their experiences on campus.”
Kimbel describes herself as a team player, working with a great bunch of employees who are eager to serve Collegeville some much needed energy. She also describes herself as a risk-taker, as she decided to embrace the challenge of heading her own team two years back.
She began her journey as a caterer for Sodexo, a food service and hospitality provider. Amid the lack of catering opportunities during the Covid-19 pandemic, she was asked to be a supervisor at Cafe 2020. “Excited and nervous, I stepped into the Cafe two weeks before opening to go through Starbucks training. I had a great Starbucks leader and manager at the time in order to help me adjust and learn everything needed. I am so thankful for them because Cafe 2020 has really been a success.”
Kimbel has been with the Cafe since it’s opening in 2020, and has done a very successful job garnering a strong group of student employees who spoke very highly of their respected supervisor. “Alexis came to work every single day with a smile on her face. Even on the gloomiest of days, she was always looking to brighten things up,” said former employee, Jason Kleintz ‘23. “Whether it be with a new coffee recipe or a small conversation, she’s always brightening up our day.”
With her continued success at Cafe 2020, Kimbel is looking to earn a promotion. Her goal is to become a retail manager at Sodexo, or to possibly open a coffee shop of her own. While we would hate to see her go, we wish her the best of luck in any endeavors she chooses to pursue.
The next time you’re looking for a high-quality coffee, or an even higher quality conversation, Alexis Kimbel has got you covered.