By Zachary Clark
Bellarmine University has a thriving, neighboring local business in Sunergos. Sunergos coffee shop was founded in Louisville in 2003, and one of its prime locations is just a walk up Norris Place from campus. As students walk between classes, they can see numerous Sunergos cups and sleeves in the hands of other students, faculty and staff. But what exactly is the relationship between the school and the local coffee shop?
Biology major Emily Guerrero said she was quite happy with the impression that Sunergos gives. “I like that it’s a really friendly environment, and there’s a lot of development students I see there. So, I feel like you could really make connections if you wanted to,” she said.
Senior art major Hannah Shelby said she was a big fan. “I even have a sticker on my water bottle,” she said.
Proximity and ease of access is another reason students like Sunergos.
Sophomore nursing student Fernanda Villa said, “I go to Sunergos a couple times each week because it’s so close.”
Being in such proximity to a popular local business offers students a place to relax close to campus. “I just like that it’s someplace I can go for a quick break,” Shelby said.
Accounting and psychology double major Anna Wells studies in Sunergos.
With recent wage protests by Sunergos employees, the relationship with Bellarmine has been viewed as strengthened by the employees and BU students. These protests were very visible, as baristas were seen outside the shop protesting and urging passersby to honk their horns in support.
Former Bellarmine student and current Sunergos employee Emily Shepherd said: “We went through a period there of protesting over our wages. We had a lot of support from people driving by. A lot of them we recognized from their cars, and a good chunk of those were from Bellarmine.”
Shelby said she did not patronize Sunergos during the protests. “I noticed some of the regular baristas protesting outside, so I made sure to not go until I didn’t see them,” she said.
Said Shepherd: “A lot of our customers are definitely Bellarmine kids and teachers, too.”
Despite the strong, positive relationship, some students stray away because it is too crowded and noisy to study.
“I don’t go there to study or do schoolwork or anything like that. I think it’s too busy and crowded for me to focus,” Villa said.
Guerrero also avoids Sunergos when she needs to study. “It’s really busy and I don’t like that part. I need quiet places,” she said.
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