"Opening a new restaurant or eatery is quite an involved affair. The funds poured into a project make the stakes relatively high in the beginning, as a business scrambles to recoup operating costs. As such, many restaurants opt for a so-called “soft opening,” a precursor to the official welcome of customers. These openings usually have a selective audience and a limited menu, serving the purpose of acquainting new staff with equipment and the environment. This concept is one that has been likened to dress rehearsals in theater productions.

To hear that Dunkin’ Donuts would be replacing one of Hofstra’s coveted Starbucks locations initially shocked me, as I’m sure it did most of you. As a coffee enthusiast, I was interested and also confused. Changing a Starbucks to a Dunkin' at a college? It almost sounds, unprogressive? But after some consideration, I realized that we caffeine addicts here at Hofstra are indeed receiving a blessing from the coffee gods.