Over the summer, Glassboro welcomed CREAM, one of many new local businesses. CREAM is a coffee shop and cafe focused on serving delicious food and drinks while providing a space for community members to gather, either to work together or simply hang out.
Customers are greeted by a see-through counter and a view of the entire kitchen. Next to the counter is a glass case filled with cookies, cinnamon buns, croissants, and other pastries.
The design of the seating area is very open, yet intimate, which is meant to encourage people to sit next to each other, regardless of whether or not they know others seated there, according to co-owner Melanie Dunay.
“We did a big focus on community and coexisting in one space… that’s why we expanded the menu beyond just coffee. We wanted to be somewhere or something for everyone,” Dunay said.
All of the traditional coffee shop essentials are offered: specialty drinks, lattes, cold brew, macchiatos, and more. But the drink menu goes on, listing a variety of Red Bull refreshers, smoothies, and juices.
The endless options don’t stop with the drinks. The food menu features pastries, breakfast foods like French toast and avocado toast, breakfast sandwiches, salads, lunch sandwiches and paninis, wraps, and even sides and snacks like hummus or guacamole.
There truly is something for everyone. Many believe that CREAM fulfills a long-awaited need within Glassboro and the Rowan community.
“Previously, before we started there was really nothing like that. I mean, you had the Starbucks in Barnes & Noble, but nowhere you could kind of just sit and relax,” said Dunay.
One staff member, Jessica Lubitz, echoed the same sentiment.
“What makes CREAM unique is they kind of took a business that was desperately needed in this area… there was really a need for this small, community area where you could get really good coffee, really good food, sit and chill with your friends, do some homework. There needs to be more of an emphasis on small local businesses like this. I feel like it’s needed in the area,” said Lubitz.
While there are other cafe and coffee options, CREAM is holding its own and standing strong. According to the managerial staff, business has been good so far and everything is running smoothly.
Lubitz explained that while there is a Barnes & Noble Starbucks, it lacks the valuable strengths of a small business. She also mentioned Dawn to Dusk Cafe, which while serving similar menu items is more of a restaurant where you sit down at a table and have a server waiting on you.
More similar to CREAM—and therefore more competitive—is the newly opened High Grounds across the street. As of now, this has not been a cause for concern.
“We saw the new coffee shop open, High Grounds, and we kind of dipped a little bit, but then within a week we were back up to our normal numbers,” said Dunay.
Part of the business’ success can be accredited to its prime location.
“I think that the area is almost beneficial to us that we are not right on the main stretch because we’re getting both the business people and we’re also getting those students that are coming in and out of classes,” said Dunay.
She added that being so close to the upperclassmen apartments like 114 Victoria and 230 Victoria has brought in a good amount of business.
“It’s my first time here and I love it already so I’m probably going to be back. And I live right around the corner too,” said Rowan student Kylee Lewis.
CREAM seems to be a hit among students so far, due to its menu, its atmosphere, and its convenient location.
Additionally, Dunay wants students to know that Rowan students receive a 10% discount on Tuesdays if they present a Rowan ID.
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