Bethel, Reverie Roasters announce termination of partnership
The move was shared via email on Monday.
Updated: April 26, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.
Bethel College and Andrew Gough, owner of Reverie Roasters at Mojo’s, have announced the termination of their partnership, effective mid-May.
The message was shared with the school’s community by Bethel Director for Institutional Communications and Marketing Tricia Clark via email on Monday. Reverie has operated out of the Mojo’s location — found within the Schultz Student Center on Bethel’s campus — since Jan. 2022.
Gough declined an initial request for comment. On April 25, Reverie shared a statement on the matter via social media, which confirmed that the partnership will cease by May 13.
“After 15 months in operation, we have decided to cut our losses and close this store,” the statement read in part. “We were admittedly naive in thinking in today’s climate a premium coffee shop on a small college campus could be successful while competing with the cafeteria.
“Perhaps our commitment to offering liveable wages to all staff members affected our ability to be profitable, though it doesn’t seem to be an issue with other locations. However, the fact remains that communities vote with their dollars; this reality is why we are withdrawing from this endeavor before causing further damage to our business.”
The Mojo’s space was acquired in a sale from Patty Meier, who transitioned Bubbert’s Snack Shop to Mojo’s Coffee Bar in 2010. Bethel has long promoted the space as a hotspot for student engagement and community-building.
“We appreciate the relationship we have had with Reverie with fine coffee and quality food,” Bethel President Jon Gering said in the announcement. “We wish them the best as they continue to refine their business model in the Newton and Wichita communities.”
Reverie’s expansion into Mojo’s marked the first Reverie location in the Newton area. This was followed two months later by the operation out of its drive-through location on 12th Street. Said location will still be in operation following this move.
“Working at Reverie has been the best job I’ve had,” employee Emily Brandt told The Collegian. “I have really enjoyed working with them and hope to continue to. If I am unable to, I will be sad to see that chapter end.”
The search for a new coffee shop vendor will begin immediately. “We want the space to continue to serve the college and the broader community,” Gering said. “Therefore, we are seeking feedback and suggestions along those lines. The goal is to have another tenant by August 2023.”
Bethel will host open forums on May 1 at 4 p.m. and May 2 at 3 p.m. in the lounge of Mantz Library, as well as on May 4 at noon in the Caf, to receive input from faculty, staff, and students to supplement the search.
In a follow-up email on Tuesday, Clark shared an online link for suggestions and questions regarding the next tenant of the Mojo’s space — which now seeks its third tenant in three years.