New Cafe, Bruin Grounds, Opens Its Doors in Bunch Library

Faculty and staff enjoy samples from new cafe, Bruin Grounds.

New Belmont dining option Bruin Grounds opened its doors this week in the lobby of Bunch Library. Featuring a variety of gourmet coffee drinks, sandwiches and salad options, the new shop hosted a food showcase Tuesday to allow faculty and staff to sample the new menu.

Based on its location in the library, offerings are named in honor of famous books, allowing customers to try out items like The Catch 22 breakfast item, a Count of Monte Cristo sandwich or a Grapes of Wrath salad, among others. The shop will also sell a variety of desserts, juices, chips and fruit cups.

Bruin Grounds will be open this week from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. and will extend its hours until 10 p.m. on weekdays beginning Wed., Aug. 24, the first day of classes. In addition, the café will be open on Sat., Aug. 20 from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. for Move In Day. Bruin Grounds hours may be adjusted during the semester based on demand, and the cafe will be accepting dining points and Bruin Bucks in addition to cash and credit cards.

Kyle Grover, director of Belmont’s Dining Services through Sodexo, adds that his team is also looking at the possibility of adding a mobile app that would allow customers to place orders in advance, though that service will likely not be available this semester.

Made possible through conversations between SGA, Senior Leadership, the Bunch Library and Student Services, Bruin Grounds is one of several endeavors intended to transform Bunch Library into a learning commons, according to Dr. Ernest Heard, director of library services. The Bunch Library has also recently added tables to the first floor lobby and atriums on the second and third floors to provide additional seating for Bruin Grounds diners and to further encourage collaboration among students, faculty and staff using the library.