Imaging supervisor Aaron O’Connor takes a beverage from hospital volunteer Vicki Emmons during the Feb. 14 grand opening of Hancock Regional Hospital’s new coffee bar, located within the first floor gift shop in the hospital lobby.
GREENFIELD — Coffee lovers got a sweet Valentine’s Day treat when a new coffee bar opened inside Hancock Regional Hospital’s newly remodeled gift shop Feb. 14.
“I call it ‘Not Starbucks,’” said hospital president Steve Long, who has anticipated the opening for months.
While the coffee shop sells Starbucks products and bears the company’s logo, a special licensing agreement allows the shop to retain more revenue by not using the Starbucks name.
That means a bigger bottom line for the hospital’s volunteer organization, which will turn the profits back into the community through charitable projects.
“It’s actually called ‘We Proudly Serve’ because all we serve is Starbucks products, we just haven’t paid the franchise fee to call it Starbucks,” said Elizabeth Preston, who manages the hospital’s team of volunteers.
No matter the name, patrons were lining up to enjoy an array of hot and cold beverages throughout the day on Tuesday.
“I heard a lot of people talking about how great the drinks were so I had to come check it out,” said Aaron O’Connor, a diagnostic imaging supervisor at the hospital, as he was handed a fruit-flavored concoction known as the Pink Drink at Starbucks stores.
Barista Daniel Buechler said he’s been having a blast learning the ropes, as he churned out a number of drinks during a training period last week.
While Buechler is the only full-time employee, the coffee bar is run by hospital volunteers who have a long history of operating the hospital’s gift shop.
Vicki Emmons was amazed by the turnout Friday.
“We had a nonstop line for the first hour after we opened at 6:30 a.m.,” she said, as customers continued to stroll up to the walk-up window shortly after noon.
Preston said the bar is open to anyone and everyone in search of a tasty beverage, whether that’s hospital guests or employees or customers who walk in off the street.
“We will (eventually) have two 10-minute parking spots outside just past the front entrance so you can always park there and just pop in,” she said.
Both she and Long believe the coffee bar will be a welcome addition for employees as well as hospital guests.
“A good coffee is always a boost to morale,” said Preston. “It will be a nice thing to have for people visiting patients, giving them a nice way to not just grab a cup of coffee but also just get away for a moment. I think it will improve our patient experience,” she said.
It will also improve the Hancock Regional Hospital Volunteers’ ability to give back to the community.
Preston said the group — formerly known as the volunteer guild — is an impactful group always looking to give back to the hospital and people they serve.
The team sponsors a number of projects and fundraising events throughout the year. Profits generated through the hospital’s gift shop and other events are returned to the hospital and community in the form of donated equipment, scholarships, community wellness programs, and financial assistance to hospital departments with special requests.
“Our volunteers have donated equipment in excess of $1 million dollars in value. They also support the future of higher education and have awarded $7,000 in scholarships to active volunteers attending college since 2014,” said Preston, who oversees about 85 volunteers each month.
Long said volunteers have played a vital role throughout the hospital’s 70-year history.
“We have an extraordinary group of volunteers who are willing to give up their time and talents and treasure to give back to this community. Some of the biggest donors we have at the hospital foundation are our volunteers,” he said.
Preston said the coffee bar concept came about during the gift shop remodeling phase, when volunteers suggested the addition of a beverage bar to serve patients, guests and staff.
“Our voluntary advisory council voted to have the proceeds from the gift shop and the coffee bar go towards funding our gift shop construction project and remodel, so once that’s paid with those funds then all of those proceeds will go back to volunteer services,” she said.
The remodeled gift shop is now a bit more spacious thanks to a few square feet added from the adjacent surgical center, which allowed for the addition of a fitting room and more display space.
The shop sells an assortment of home decor and gift items, including jewelry, handbags, candy and apparel, in addition to fresh floral arrangements.
To learn more about the Hancock Health volunteer program or the newly remodeled gift shop and coffee bar, call Preston at 317-468-4252.
