Hundreds of students flocked to Kins Coffee, a new, on-campus coffee shop located inside Kinsolving Hall, on its first day of classes for the spring semester. Kins Coffee officially opened Tuesday morning after a delay in the building process pushed back its intended opening in November.

Rene Rodriguez, director of food services, said the coffee shop is similar in appearance to Jester Java and serves as an alternative place to buy the same food and drink items offered across campus.

“It’s a destination on the north side of campus that shows that what we have on the south side of campus is also available on the north side of campus,” Rodriguez said.

According to Rodriguez, the idea to build a coffee shop on the north side of campus was influenced by suggestions from students and residents who thought the location would be more accessible to them.

The shop serves Starbucks products and a variety of other drink and food options including juice, fruit cups and sandwiches.

Kins Coffee also benefits students by adding another late-night option, Rodriguez said. The shop is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays. It is closed on weekends.

Prior to the opening of Kins Coffee, students used self-serving machines in Kins Market to make coffee. Human biology junior and Kinsolving resident Hanna Lee said she prefers the convenience of ordering coffee as opposed to making her own.

“I think it’ll be pretty convenient for me since I live here,” Lee said. “In the mornings, it’s pretty easy to just come downstairs and get a cup of coffee.”

In addition to the coffee shop, Kins Coffee added a patio area and an enhanced walkway. Rodriguez said the area, which will include multiple phone charging outlets, is intended to be a place for students to talk or work in a conveniently located outdoor environment.

“In the evenings, it’ll be a nice place to hang out and have a cup of coffee or hot chocolate,” Rodriguez said. “When the sun goes down, [the] Belo [Center for New Media] blocks the sun and makes it really pretty in the evening there.”

According to Rodriguez, the University spent about $500,000 in total on the coffee shop and patio area.

A walk-through window, similar to a drive-through, is another feature Kins Coffee will offer to students. Rodriguez said the window is tailored to students who are in a hurry and do not have time to come inside the building.

Business freshman Kaylee Huang said she is looking forward to using the walk-through option of ordering her morning coffee.

“As college students, we’re always on the run and getting to classes, so that would just be a more convenient way than standing in line and waiting for coffee,” Huang said.

Correction: The new coffee shop is known as Kins Coffee, not Kin's Coffee, as previously stated.