Hit the grounds running: Saxbys second Rowan location opens in Student Center expansion

“All aboard!” said business management major and Student CEO (SCEO) Allen Monroe when motioning to the crowd gathered at the Saxbys–Student Center. Amid cheers and the pop of confetti canon, Monroe joined fellow student leaders, Rowan University President Ali A. Houshmand and Saxbys’ founder and CEO Nick Bayer to cut the ribbon, officially opening Saxbys cafe

Guests lined up around the entrance, located on the first floor of the Student Center expansion, waiting for sophomore’s cue.

“Come on in,” Monroe exclaimed before taking off down the corridor in a near-sprint to the cafe counter, now open for business. 

The Oct. 7 ribbon cutting marks the second Saxbys location on Rowan University’s campus and the 28th in the nation. The first at Rowan – and in New Jersey – opened in Business Hall in 2021. 

“Our University focuses on experiential learning and this partnership with Saxbys and this building reflects that,” said Rowan President Ali A. Houshmand, acknowledging the new addition to the Student Center completed earlier this year. “We want our students to get a great education and the best way to do that is through practical, hands-on experiences.” 

The cafe is part of the Saxbys Experiential Learning Platform, which introduces entirely student-run cafe locations on college and university campuses and will provide in-depth entrepreneurial opportunities. Led by SCEO Monroe, a team of 36 Rowan students will manage all aspects of the business from team management, finances, community engagement and daily operations. 

“We focus on what we call power skills – emotional intelligence, critical thinking, cultural agility and resilience," said Bayer during Tuesday’s event. “Skills that are impossible to teach in a classroom but critical to success in life.” 

Bayer praised Monroe for his humble, hardworking and detail-oriented approach, “the hallmarks of great leadership.” He also acknowledged Rowan’s inaugural SCEO, Melody Woznuk ’22, who was in attendance. Woznuk now works as the head of area operations for Saxbys, overseeing multiple locations including Rowan’s. 

The Student Center location includes Saxbys’ cold brew and matcha collection, smoothies, bakery items and breakfast offerings. 

From timesheets and inventory to financial management, Monroe will oversee all operations of the student center location during his semester as CEO. In return, SCEO’s earn a salary, opportunities for bonuses and a semester of college credit. For Monroe, the hands-on experience is the biggest draw and he plans to start from the ground up. 

“I’m in such a unique position where I can craft the culture and the expectations, so my main goal for this cafe is the feeling,” said Monroe. “The warmth and the team community internally that will extend to our guests externally. We want to leave people with a smile on their face.”