Downstairs
cafe changes its atmosphere
By Kristen Force
On-line Forty-Niner
With
new management, a new menu and new décor,
what was formerly The Downstairs Café
is being revitalized as a more modern eatery.
 Called
The Press Room, the restaurant will specialize
in grill-pressed sandwiches. This style
of sandwich extends far beyond the traditional
grilled cheese to include pressed calzones
with pepperoni, salami and cheese, breakfast
sandwiches and even a chocolate and banana
croissant.
But the name does not only describe the
sandwiches, it tells about the style of
the room as well. The restaurant will have
a newsroom theme, complete with newspapers
and typewriters.
Faithful patrons of The Downstairs Café
need not worry about their favorite coffee
and lounge area.
“We will still be serving coffee, just like
the café had,” owner and chef Richard
Lauter said. “We won’t have the same sofas
and chairs but there will be a lounge area
similar to what was here before.”
Faced with declining business after Coffee
Bean and Tea Leaf moved into the University
Student Union, the café needed to
find a new niche that wasn’t already being
filled by a larger chain store, Lauter said.
“When Coffee Bean came in, it really took
business away,” Lauter said. “We’re in the
basement of the Student Union and more people
need to know about us. We are the only true
restaurant in the building.”
The new restaurant is currently in negotiations
with Starbucks to carry its drinks in addition
to the current menu. Lauter said he is hopeful
that the well known brand name will draw
customers that might not ordinarily take
the time to stop in.
“I hope the coffee will get people in the
door and once they are here, they will discover
our great food and atmosphere,” Lauter said.
To make students, staff and visitors to
campus more aware of the eatery, coupons
will be handed out in the USU, outside of
the bookstore and in the Daily 49er. There
will also be flyers and specials offered
during the first few weeks of school.
As a privately owned company, The Press
Room leases space from the Cal State Long
Beach and has no affiliation with the school.
Financing for the renovations comes solely
from the business.
Remodeling project began after the spring
semester ended and is projected to be finished
before the fall term begins.
“We will definitely be open by the third
of September,” Lauter said.
The Press Room will be open Monday through
Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The menu will
feature a variety of sandwiches, pastries
and desserts. The Oreo cookie cheesecake
and the pecan pie bars are two desserts
everyone must try, Lauter said.
He said that the new restaurant will not
just be a place to grab a quick bite, but
can also be an area for people to meet and
relax.
“I want people to take pride in the place,”
Lauter said. “It is a great place to study,
eat, have group meetings or just take a
break during the day.”
|
