By Jaci Schneider, Opinion Editor

Java City, a new coffee shop and restaurant, opened this summer on Ambler Avenue near Hardin-Simmons University.

It is the first of its kind in the world, said Torick Banks, the location manager of Java City. The coffee shop is a joint project between Hardin-Simmons and ARAMARK, the university’s food service company.

Students and community members can dine at the cafZ, but ARAMARK provides the menu, which is full of specialty coffees, smoothies, salads, sandwiches, croissants and more.

Java City is ARAMARK’s signature coffee brand and cafe; about 2,800 franchises are in schools, hospitals and stadiums in the world, Banks said. However, Hardin-Simmons began the first off-campus operation.

“It’s a real-life retail operation under the umbrella of ARAMARK,” Banks said. “The original idea came from students at Hardin-Simmons.”

The grand opening of Java City was July 24, and Banks said that business has been great.

“It’s a wonderful building and a nice place where students can hang out,” he said.

The cafZ also offers free wireless Internet and desktop computer access.

“It’s absolutely the place to be in Abilene,” Banks said.

ACU receives dining service from ARAMARK and has five “brew” locations on campus, said Cory Bourg, director of ARAMARK food service at ACU, in an e-mail.

The Fatted CafZ, Connections CafZ, the Jelly Bean, Smith and Adams halls and the Bagel Wagon serve Java City coffee, but not specialty coffees. They also serve Starbucks brew.

Bourg said the university is looking at the possibility of putting a smaller version of Java City in the new residence hall.

“I have been there,” Bourg said, “and like it a lot.”