Caffeine On Way To Hinsdale Central And South

BURR RIDGE, IL – Hinsdale High School District 86 is set to join some of its wealthy counterparts in establishing coffee shops at its schools.

Last week, the school board voted unanimously for a seven-year contract with Quest Food Management Services, which runs the schools' cafeterias.

The biggest change is the plan for coffee shops at both Central and South high schools.

Under the contract's terms, the company plans to cover the $166,000 in costs of equipment for the shops.

Quest also has cafes at Glenbrook South, Glenbrook North, New Trier, Lake Forest, Barrington, Deerfield and Highland Park high schools. All are in towns with high median household incomes.

At last week's board meeting, Josh Stephenson, District 86's chief financial officer, said the district has a good relationship with Quest.

"The cafes they operate have been very successful and popular with the students," he said. "They have a lot of confidence that we will see similar results at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South. The other component is that it creates an enhanced student experience, where students can congregate either before or after school."

The district is expected to open the coffee shops in October.