Denim Coffee at the Quarry will open this Friday, October 28, Denim founder and co-owner Matt Ramsay told The Dickinsonian. Open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekends, the new location will serve all the drink options available at the Denim Coffee shop in downtown Carlisle, as well as a selection of pastries, breakfast sandwiches and to-go items.

Ramsay said of the occasion, “We’ve been pushing to open…I just hope it’s worth the wait.”

The Quarry has been out of commission as a food option on campus since the campus eatery under that name closed in Fall 2020. Though dining services does not run the new coffee shop, Dickinson dining plans will be accepted; one swipe on the Any 20 or Any 15 plan will get students a drink and a pastry, while two will be exchanged for a drink and a sandwich. Flex plans will also be accepted, using dining dollars with prices equal to normal Denim prices.

The full slate of coffee options served at Denim Coffee on Hanover St. will be served, including cappuccinos, espressos, (hot and cold) chai lattes and kombucha. Though paninis will not be served — the new space does not have a grill, so Denim’s signature grilled cheese sandwich did not make the trip down High St. — the new location will carry breakfast sandwiches with either ham or bacon. To-go items and Denim’s retail selection of shirts, mugs and coffee will also be sold.

The Denim team completely reconfigured the first floor of the Quarry, installing a grinder, espresso machines, industrial refrigerators and other food preparation facilities. They also added a wooden bar with seating near the front window, a long central table and various smaller side tables for customers to sit while they eat and drink. Ramsay was especially proud of the newly-installed 13,000 dollar water filtration system. He said, “coffee is 98% water,” so customers should taste the difference.

Denim at the Quarry has hired roughly three-quarters of the employees they would like to have, but Ramsay was happy with the hiring process so far, saying “we have really, really good staff.” A number of Dickinson students will be working at the Quarry in the new shop, as well as other community members.

When asked about the potential rush at the Quarry between classes, Ramsay pointed to the central bar that Denim has installed to “direct the flow of traffic,” saying “we’re built for speed.” Many of the newly-installed components of the space back this up, including the automatic milk dispenser for lattes and extended counter space. Ramsay admitted that he was not sure exactly what to expect between classes, but assured The Dickinsonian that his team would adapt to the circumstances.