University of Mississippi students and Oxford residents have a new coffee and specialty drink option this fall with the opening of Dutch Bros Coffee at 704 Sisk Ave.
The drive-through coffee spot opened on Sept. 30 and offers a broad selection of refreshments, including coffee, teas, lemonades and Dutch Bros’ signature Rebel energy drinks. This is Dutch Bro’s second Mississippi location; the other is located in Pearl, Miss.
The Dutch Bros opening adds more competition to the popular coffee and energy drink market in Oxford, but the chain appeals to those who enjoy its existing locations across the country.
Maile Baumann, a junior elementary education major from Las Vegas, said she has visited Dutch Bros hundreds of times because the chain is available in her hometown.
“It’s not the same as 7 Brew or Shadrachs,” Baumann said. “I think that it helps the overall economy of Oxford in general, so, for that reason I think it was necessary.”
Baumann said her first experience at the Oxford location was positive, describing the staff as welcoming and excited about the opening.
“The first time I went to the Oxford (location), (the employees) were so sweet,” Baumann said. “They were handing out stickers, and they had a bunch of people out there. It was really exciting, and they were playing music. The staff was just having so much fun, and it seemed like they were so excited to be open and be working.”
Brooke Malacina, a junior professional sales major, from St. Charles, Ill., said she enjoys Dutch Bros but believes the opening may have been more about competition than filling a major need in Oxford.
“Honestly, I feel like it wasn’t as necessary as some people make it seem,” Malacina said.
Malacina compared Dutch Bros to 7 Brew, another drive-through drink chain in Oxford, but said she preferred Dutch Bros when she first tried it.
“The first time I ever tried Dutch Bros, I liked it better than 7 Brew,” Malacina said. “I think that the opening of Dutch Bros causes competition between them and 7 Brew.”
Despite questioning whether another coffee shop was necessary, Malacina said Dutch Bros could attract customers who prefer its specialty drinks, particularly its energy drinks.
“I do know that a lot of people like the energy drinks at Dutch Bros,” Malacina said. “I feel like there’s not as many energy drink places in Oxford, other than Shadrachs.”
Other students said they appreciate having more choices, even if they do not believe the new location is necessary.
Christian Kenny, a freshman business management major from Wall Township, N.J., said he has yet to try Dutch Bros, but he sees value in the variety it brings to Oxford.
“Even though I don’t think it’s necessary to add another coffee shop to Oxford, I feel as if it’s good to have different options,” Kenny said. “Everyone has a different preference when it comes to coffee.”
Dane Cox, a sophomore entrepreneurship major from Tampa, said Dutch Bros stands out among all the other coffee options.
“I never get coffee regularly, but Dutch Bros is the only coffee I’ll get when I’m out,” Cox said. “Dutch Bros has high-quality coffee, and it’s the best I’ve had.”
