New Buzz in UND's On-Campus Coffee Scene

David L. Dodds

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

6-7-2016

Campus Unit

College of Business & Public Administration

Abstract

UND student dreams big as new owner of Archives

As students at the University of North Dakota graduate and begin the next chapters in their lives, Archives Coffee House, a popular campus hangout, will also be starting a new chapter.

Located at 3012 University Avenue, the coffee shop’s ownership has been taken over by UND graduate Kyle Thorson.

Thorson’s goal is to transform Archives into a social business — a for-profit business that cares about its social mission and focuses on service to the community each month. Thorson plans to use proceeds from Archives to give back to nonprofits in the Grand Forks community.

“I’m excited about the possibility of creating a place where everyone can bring their whole selves, and by means of every day purchases, make a difference here in Grand Forks,” Thorson said. “I look forward to the partnerships and relationships we’ll develop with UND and Grand Forks.”

Staying local

Thorson, who received his undergraduate degree and master’s degree in Public Administration and Social Business from UND, is a current member of the Resource Management Ministry Team for Christus Rex Lutheran Campus Ministry, which houses the Archives space. When current Archives’ owners Bruce and Rachel Kopp told Christus Rex leaders they were looking to retire, Thorson was intrigued by the opportunity and thought it seemed like a natural next step.

“We really like the social business model Kyle pitched, and we were excited to hear his proposal,” Christus Rex campus pastor Chad Brucklacher said. “It fits the goals of Christus Rex as a social-justice ministry that cares about the needs of neighbor, and it expresses our vocational call to engage God’s larger world.”

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