After months of anticipation, the newly refreshed Commons Servery and Cove cafe have reopened to the Southwestern community. Aramark, the University’s food service provider, has invested over $3 million in complete renovations of the Servery and the Cove. The transformations reveal a world of culinary delights and modern aesthetics and completely reimagine what a dining hall and cafe can offer.

Inside the Servery, students are greeted by an inviting and cozy atmosphere where gorgeous new floor tiles showcase a sophisticated and contemporary space. The most striking change is the open-concept kitchen that puts the Servery’s culinary magic on full display. Another major transformation is removing the wall where drinks and ice cream were located, allowing students to enjoy the breathtaking view of campus through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Additionally, once a mere appliance, the pizza oven is now an impressive brick oven, where specialty pizzas will be served using in-house dough.

One of the most exciting improvements is the revamped sauté station. Now equipped with enhanced displays showcasing what the chefs make, the station offers made-to-order, personalized dishes. Students can customize their meals, ensuring every plate reflects their unique preferences. The breakfast bar has also undergone an expansion. It offers a spread that includes waffles, cereals, and a constant flow of freshly brewed coffee, available at all hours to cater to different schedules. The dessert section, previously tucked away, is now displayed upfront, with an array of sweet treats.

The updated Servery brings state-of-the-art improvements to Pirate Dining, making it one of the top serveries in the country. With branded graphics that adorn the space, it is clear that the Commons is a place where tradition and innovation coexist.

The Cove, a beloved campus cafe, also saw improvements. After meetings with University administrators and collaborating with students whose ideas were incorporated into the final design, the vision to revitalize The Cove was achieved. The refresh includes a new floor design, dimmable LED lighting, new paint, and new furniture indoors and outside on the patio.

“I am so excited to see the Southwestern University community interact with the newly refreshed Cove this semester,” Marketing Coordinator for Aramark and Pirate Dining Cheyonne Granmayeh said. “The Cove has always been the go-to spot on campus for students to connect and have fun, and we are happy to have expanded this with the new, refreshed Cove. I look forward to seeing what new traditions are created as the school year progresses!”

The Cove’s outdoor patio furniture and indoor booths are still being installed and are expected to be completed throughout the semester. Additionally, a student committee led by Vice President for Student Life Brit Katz and Associate Vice President for Integrated Communications and Marketing Dinah Ritchie will collaborate to continue to evolve the space through decorations and artwork. With the new Commons Servery and Cove, Southwestern embraces a dynamic future where culinary innovation, collaborative spaces, and student engagement converge.