As the first block of the school day comes to an end, the race for a spot in line at the cafe has just begun. One of the most popular locations visited by students during spare times throughout the school day, Cafe 1175 is always plagued by long lines of students. In Stockdale Community Center, students patiently wait to purchase bacon breads, choco buns, milk teas, and more at the cafe. So, what makes this cafe so special? 

Although the idea of creating a cafe at Webb dates back to the innovation of Stockdale Community Center, Webb postponed the project due to COVID-19. Finally, in late April of 2021, Cafe 1175 announced a grand opening for the graduating seniors that year. After receiving positive feedback on the beverages on display and excited aspirations of what the cafe will present in the future, Cafe 1175 officially broke ground on the Webb campus. 

Growing off of its original menu, students can now purchase boba, beverages, snacks, and bread selections at Cafe 1175. With the hopes of bringing variety to students, Webb incorporates authentic flavors from diverse origins. Considering both popular suggestions and accessible items, new foods were added to the cafe fridge, especially additions of Asian snacks. Through the variety of choices, Cafe 1175 provides students with tastes unavailable anywhere else on campus, embracing food culture as a part of Webb’s diverse community.   

“Although our dining hall does offer internationally inspired dishes, Webb also realizes that the authentic flavors may not be accurately replicated all the time,” said Ken Rosenfeld, Dean of Campus Life. “With Cafe 1175 offering diverse selection of foods, we hope to give students more choices beyond those provided in the dining hall, helping recall a taste of home or expand upon their knowledge of authentic snacks and beverages.” 

To students, purchasing from the cafe is also a crucial part of a typical Webb day, with many visiting the cafe instead of the dining hall. Most students are not even discouraged by the wait from the long lines.  

“When the dining hall offers lunch too strong for my liking, I visit the cafe for more moderate selections,” said Albert Luo (‘27), a frequent customer of Cafe 1175. “I would go through lots of school days on an empty stomach without the cafe.” 

Hoping to maintain positive feedback, the cafe is slowly but consistently innovating.  

“As Cafe 1175 becomes more sustainable in internal organization, the customer revenue also increases stably,” says Judcody Limon, Cafe 1175’s current barista.  

The cafe now makes about $350-$400 within the few hours it opens daily. To maintain this popularity and improve the cafe’s stability, students also provided suggestions to further develop Cafe 1175.  

“I believe that increased staffing and addition of lunch meals would greatly improve the productivity and consumer rate of the cafe,” said Harry Chow (‘26).  

There may also be possible student volunteer opportunities at the cafe to better enhance a unique communicative and collaborative learning experience at Webb when working with others at a cafe. However, specific innovations on how to expand the cafe beyond its current potential are yet to be determined by Mr. Rosenfeld with consideration to the perspective of student customers.