The Fatted Café in the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building will close Friday at 1 p.m. because of a lack of business.
Chrystal Morris, who has run The Fatted Café for six years, said during her time there she has worked to make it a peaceful place on campus for students.
However, she said because of the location of The Fatted Café, many students walk past without realizing it is there. The café has been located on the right of the Bible building across from Room 120.
Joel Moschetta, who graduated with degrees in Bible, said he spent most of his time at ACU in the Bible building and said The Fatted Café was where he would go for a break on stressful days.
“The lady at the register always had the calming worship music playing,” Moschetta said. “It’s a soothing spot, and she always had a calming, welcoming presence.”
Moschetta said he often would meet with his friends to do homework in the cafe. When he was a graduate assistant and helped teach, The Fatted Café was his go-to spot on campus to buy a drink before heading to class.
“It’ll be sad to see it go because it’s kind of like a unique aspect to the Bible building,” Moschetta said.
Morris said some students would get lunch at Chick-fil-A and then bring it to The Fatted Café to enjoy their food and relax. She has even seen students come and take a nap in the booth.
The closure of The Fatted Café will transfer Morris to the Hilton Food Court in the McGlothlin Campus Center.
“Management offered me two choices, I could go outside the campus and look for another job, or I could transfer to another space here on campus,” Morris said.
Morris said The Fatted Café will not be brought back and the closure is a permanent decision, she said. The plans for what will be done with the space are currently unknown, and officials with Chartwells, which operate the university’s campus food services, could not be reached.
“I love being here in this space and it makes me sad to have to move to another place on campus,” Morris said.
Items that were sold in The Fatted Café can also be found in the Hilton Food Court or at the market in the Hardin Administration building.
