Staff writer
Centre Perk, a coffee shop and concession stand opened in the fall by Centre business students, has been more successful than expected.
Senior Beka Basore reported on its progress Monday at the USD 397 Board of Education meeting. She and Anna Weber operate Centre Perk with help from other students.
It is open before school and a few hours in the afternoon each day and during special events and extracurricular activities.
Centre High School senior Beka Basore gave a report to the board of education Monday about Centre Perk, the coffee shop and concession stand business begun last fall by business students. She and Anna Weber operate it with help from other students.
Basore said the business has been more successful than they had hoped. It is open daily in the morning before school and for a few hours in the afternoon. Teachers and students are loyal customers, as are some community members. Centre Perk also is open during special events and extracurricular activities.
The business offers gift cards and features specialty flavors. It is on Facebook and Twitter. Teachers often use Centre Perk as a reward program for students.
Other schools have visited Centre to view the business and get information about it. State Sen. Steve Abrams recently visited the school to learn about it. He invited Kemble to report to the state education committees about its benefits.
The business began with a loan of $5,000 from the district. Its daily sales run from $50 to $200. The current cash balance is $4,861.
Basore said the biggest challenge was learning to manage the inventory. She plans to create an operational manual that will guide future employees in operating the business.
“I have learned so much stuff through the Perk that I would not have learned in the classroom,” she said. “Our goal is for it to still be in operation in five to 10 years.”
“Now that I see all this, I’m glad we did it,” Board President Brent Methvin said.