As this board has stated in the past, we are wary of the process surrounding the privatization of UNC Student Stores. To add to our worries, the Daily Grind could be next on the chopping block.
While the Grind is already an independently owned coffee outlet, its contract may be in danger this summer with the possible privatization of Student Stores.
The Daily Grind employs students, and those jobs should not be put in jeopardy through the privatization process. We call upon the University to protect student jobs through this process. We do understand that the Daily Grind is an independently owned business and that its student employees are not employees of the University, but the University should still lobby to protect its students’ interests.
The Daily Grind also serves as one of the only access points for students to get food and drinks from local vendors on campus.
Sure, students can patronize some of the local fare on Lenoir Mainstreet, but Mainstreet’s hours do not work for all students’ schedules. At 9:30 p.m. on a Wednesday, a student in Davis doesn’t have that many food options. On central campus after 9 p.m., only Alpine Bagel, Wendy’s, the Pit Stop and the Daily Grind are open. The Daily Grind is open earlier in the morning and later into the night, better serving student needs.
The Daily Grind has been on campus for 20 years, and we hope it stays that way.
