Following extensive renovations, the College's Lone Pine Tavern will reopen as One Wheelock, a lounge and coffeehouse, later this fall, according to Eric Ramsey, director of Collis Center and student activities. Lone Pine closed at the end of Spring term due to budget cuts.
One Wheelock will have its grand opening on Nov. 12, but will be open for students by late October, according to Collis Governing Board chair Tanaka Mhambi '11.
"It will not be a place to go fill up your coffee container," Ramsey said. "It's a place to sit down and have a cup of coffee with someone."
One Wheelock will feature free coffee from self-serve coffee machines and a performance space for musicians. As with Lone Pine Tavern, student groups will be able to use One Wheelock for performances and meetings.
"The coffee is there as part of the social space," Mhambi said. "If you are hanging out in One, by all means grab a cup of coffee, whether you are working on a problem set or hanging out with friends."
Collis Governing Board originally proposed opening a student-run coffeehouse after over 90 percent of respondents to a student survey last spring said they were in favor of the idea. The College, however, rejected the proposal, citing New Hampshire health codes, the difficulty of making a profit and the challenge of maintaining consistent leadership.
One Wheelock will not have a permanent staff, Mhambi said. The cost of the coffee, which is fairly low, will be included in the Collis Governing Board budget.
While One Wheelock will not serve food because of health codes, student groups will be able to give away food in the space, Ramsey said. Collis Governing Board will also provide desserts occasionally, he said.
One Wheelock will have a significantly different look than Lone Pine Taven, Ramsey said. The new space, which will be complete by Oct. 20, will include a new bar, windows and reburbished flooring, Ramsey said. There will also be new couches, chairs and cafe tables.
"When students who are familiar with the Lone Pine Tavern walk in, they won't recognize it," he said.
There will also be a door that opens directly onto Wheelock Street to allow students to enter the cafe without going through Collis, Mhambi said.
One Wheelock has only a one-year contract on its coffee machines, and Mhambi emphasized that the space may change depending on student needs.
"It's a new thing tapping into an area that has thus far never been explored," he said.
While some students said they shared Mhambi's excitement for the new social space, others said they will miss Lone Pine.
Anastasia Miliano '10 said she felt "pain and heartbreak" after she heard Lone Pine would close. She said she went to the tavern every other weekend for a milkshake and occasionally some Speed Scrabble, but is not sure if she will visit One Wheelock because she does not drink coffee.
Eleni Marmarelis '12 said she enjoyed the atmosphere of Lone Pine, with its "random gigs" and supply of board games.
"I loved how it was removed from the College, but also part of it," she said.
