By Rosemary Peters
On Monday, UP's newest eatery, The Anchor, sailed aboard The Bluff for her maiden voyage.
The Anchor's grand opening started with an outdoor blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
UP President Fr. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C, presided over the event, along with Fr. John Donato, C.S.C, Residence Life Director Mike Walsh and ASUP President Colton Coughlin.
"After I cut the ribbon, there will be a mad dash inside," Beauchamp said moments before cutting the ribbon and proclaiming The Anchor officially open for business.
With that announcement, approximately 40 students who had patiently waited in the cold and rain rushed inside The Anchor to celebrate.
"I can't believe it! I'm excited to have the doors open on The Anchor," Walsh said after the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "At the beginning, I didn't think it was going to happen."
Walsh and Kirk Mustain of Bon Appétit have been working on opening The Anchor for the past two years.
Walsh's goal is to make The Anchor a cool place for students to hang out by bringing small bands and other performers to the venue.
Mustain and Bon Appétit, on the other hand, are supplying all of the food and drinks served at the eatery, save the gelato, which is provided by Staccato Gelato.
The students who attended the opening were greeted with free samples that ranged from gelato to coffee and cookies to Axe shampoo.
The attendees were also entertained by junior Josh Carr and freshman Sam Flavin, the first official musical act to perform on The Anchor's stage.
"I like it! I was excited while we were planning it," said freshman and ASUP Senator Andriana Alexis. "It is another place on UP to have a good time."
Beauchamp, who not only cut the ribbon but also stayed to hang out and chat with the students, shares Alexis's sentiments.
"The Anchor is great. Since we opened the dorms, there are more students over here," Beauchamp said. "There is Wi-Fi and a place to study and relax. It will be interesting to see how The Anchor is used."
According to Donato, who played a key role in developing the new gathering spot, The Anchor will be expanded slightly to include a small patio with outdoor seating. Donato hopes this will happen sometime this summer.
"We wanted The Anchor to be an internet café that is Starbucks-esque," Donato said.
Currently, The Anchor is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. It will also be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. However, according to Donato, there are already students asking for more afternoon hours.
"In a little place, we can do lots," Donato said. "I already see students here in the evening."
