A second home: finding study spaces and comfort at Augusta cafes
By Takeyah Flanagan | Staff writer
Coffee houses and boba tea shops have become popular destinations for college students looking to find a second home to study, lounge and enjoy good food or drinks.
Two such places in Augusta are Ding Tea and Rooted Coffeehouse. Both are well known to college students for their flexible work opportunities and student friendly spaces.
Ding Tea, located on 3830 Washington Road, has a variety of boba, ramen and snacks. At Ding Tea, students have access to free WiFi, arcade games, a nice seating area and a unique atmosphere.
Ding Tea on 3830 Washington Road has become a popular hub for students to socialize, study, and enjoy boba tea. (photo by Jerelyn Isom/the Bell Ringer)
Miranda Ebert, a manager at Ding Tea, has worked at the shop for more than a year, but her connection to the business began even earlier as a regular customer.
Ebert says that balancing work and school can be challenging, but Ding Tea works around her schedule as a student. She often notices other students coming into the store.
“You either see them coming for fun or you see them lock in for hours just studying,” Ebert said.
Mckenna Morrison, a neuroscience major at AU, said she comes to Ding Tea for a change of scenery. Ding Tea has a lively atmosphere, and Morrison loves their music and variety of entertainment.
Of course, as a student, snacks are essential for focusing and having a successful study session. The brown sugar milk tea and the Buldak ramen are the most popular student orders.
Morrison shared that her go-to drink is a large winter melon milk tea with boba pearls. She said she enjoys seeing students stop by for a little “brain fuel” while they study.
“Some come when I open and then they're still here when I leave, which is at six,” said Morrison with a laugh.
Ding Tea is a popular hub for students, who often fill the shop around noon and return later in the evening. Ebert said those hours become especially busy during midterms and finals.
With Ding Tea’s growing popularity, Morrison said the shop can sometimes become too busy for students to focus on schoolwork. Despite the crowds, both Morrison and Ebert enjoy returning to the shop and being part of its lively atmosphere.
Rooted Coffeehouse in Surrey Center attracts many AU students because of its proximity to the Summerville Campus. Amelia Whitman, the bar coordinator, has worked for the company since its first location opened eight years ago.
"We first opened our shop in river one, but we've grown to six locations now,” Whitman said.
Whitman said that the name, Rooted, means “rooted in faith” and “in community”. Their company motto, "coffee cultivating community,” reflects its goal in creating a space where people can gather to study, meet friends and be a part of a community. The cafe has a welcoming, small-town feel.
Seasonal drinks and changing menus give customers something new to experience throughout the year. Whitman noted that anything off the seasonal menu is popular among customers, since it is always changing.
Not only does Whitman mix flavors, but she also mixes colors when she creates the seasonal menus. She said the latest menu draws inspiration from the nostalgic feel of a grandmother’s home, incorporating design elements that tie together each of the seasons.
“Those have been fun because we have followed a theme, and we’ve created something out of it and not just thrown drinks on the menu,” Whitman said.
Whitman said that it's fun to learn new recipes and experiment with new flavors with each menu change.
After moving to a new location, Whitman noticed that each shop has its own atmosphere and customer base. Both have their charms, making it difficult for Whitman to choose a favorite.
“I think they all hold a special place in my heart, but I love them all,” she said with a smile.
Whitman was once a student while working at Rooted Coffeehouse, and has since graduated. She shared that with the option to take classes online, she was able to easily balance both work and her schoolwork.
Students frequent all of the locations, though Whitman said some, such as the downtown location, attract more students due to the proximity to campus.
Although Ding Tea and Rooted Coffeehouse offer different drinks and atmospheres, both demonstrate the role local cafes can play in student life. For students, these spaces offer a change of scenery from campus, whether they come to study, socialize with friends or support a local business.
Contact Takeyah Flanagan at taflanagan@augusta.edu.
Rooted Coffeehouse in Surrey Center offers students on the Summerville Campus a place to study and relax outside of class time. The interior of Rooted emphasizes natural tones to create a relaxing, quiet atmosphere. (photos by Takeyah Flanagan/the Bell Ringer)
