At CNU, there are two stores that are run by students. One is the café Tryangle which is a student enterprise. It is managed only by students from beginning to end. The other is the bakery Dabit. It was created by a small group called the Dabit members in 1990. It is run by students’ voluntary participation and managed by the university. They both have various similarities and differences at the same time. Let’s find out about the two shops in detail with CP!
Let’s Try a New Angle!
On the second floor of the Student Hall I, despite the summer vacation, there were many students. There is a high and open ceiling with fresh light that made for a bright atmosphere, along with a book cafe on one side of the store. It always provides cheap and delicious meals. People who this store for the first time often have the idea it is a café chain, but Tryangle isn’t a common company. Tryangle is a student enterprise in which all workers are our university students.
History and Introduction
We met a representative, Moon Eun-ki and talked about many things about the cafe. Tryangle was founded in October 2011 through the support for student’s experience of duty by the man-power development center. Since then, this café has been operated only by its earnings. Given students’ economic condition, menu prices are decided inexpensively except for the minimal operating costs that take into account the value of materials and personnel expenses. The name of the cafe was chosen through a contest and it doesn’t represent a musical instrument. It has the meaning: ‘Try doing a novelty from another angle.’ Its unique logo was made by the College of Fine Arts students who worked at the operation division at the beginning.
Hardships and Triumph
Although they had difficulties at first, the profits have been yielded through their continuous efforts since the end of the year. They had troubles in stock and personnel management that were sometimes caused by a lack of professionalism. However, they have learned by trial and error. Thus, they devised their own creative ideas: the ‘Minibus,’ its second branch with good mobility and met the consumer’s demand. Recently, they begin giving a discount on select items each day from 12 p.m to 1p.m and 5 p.m to 6 p.m during the semester. When the plan was achieved successfully, students said, “Tryangles’ beverage is very cheap and delicious!” They felt encouraged. For example, during this summer vacation, they made a plan to create a seasonal menu, shaved ice with syrup, and this product has sold well. Many people who ordered it were satisfied with both its flavor and inexpensive cost.
Expansion
Tryangle has lived up to its name. Not being content with the present state, they formed a plan to award a scholarship for students of underprivileged background. Moreover, they will expand their business in which the minibus will move through the College of Life and Sciences. In addition, the third branch will be opened on the Munhwa-dong campus. As a result, Tryangle won’t just focus on the increase of earnings. The workers of cafe Tryangle want their store to contribute to university welfare like the intention of its establishment. In addition, they will always make an effort and want to be the best student company role-model in the future.
A Little Bakery Dabit
When CP entered room 418, there were some cookies and bread, and even some mini cakes. The bread smelled good and looked delicious. Because of the vacation, only one baker was in there and only little breads were available. On the inside, there were various baking tools and instruments. CP talked with administrator Yoon about Dabit.
Introduction
It is located in room 418, College of Domestic Science. Originally it was a practice room for students of in the Department of Food and Nutrition in 1990. The students made various cookies and breads. Some of them who are members of the group Dabit thought that these would be good snacks for other students who were hungry. Thus, they sold them at a low price that could cover expenses just for the ingredients. All who work at Dabit don’t want to make profit, but they want to acquire knowledge and practice for a certificate of qualifications about baking.
Dabit’s Merits and Flaws
Merits: First, the bakery Dabit sells breads at a low price for students. The profit is used only for better bread and ingredients. All of bakers except the administrator are students who participate voluntarily. Second, it sells daily-made breads. So it is safe even in summer. All of the breads are not only fresh, but also delicious. Third, we can visit Dabit throughout the year. Even during summer or winter vacation, one administrator (Mi-hang Yoon) bakes bread and receives students every day, so we can buy delicious breads anytime we want. Lastly, we can buy a gift box on special days like Christmas and Valentine's Day.
Flaws: It has a small space. Frankly, the bakery occupies a little space in the practice room and it is used for practice. Even though it sells some kinds of beverages, there aren’t any small tables or places to drink them. What we can do in there is just buying bread. Second, various students don’t take parts in the bakery because its products are for selling.
At Future
If Dabit has a wider space, with some tables, and comfortable chairs, it will become a better bakery. Dabit can also expand itself like Tryangle. If more students know about Dabit and visit it frequently, the time to expand is not far from now because it already has good bakers who can bake delicious and high quality breads.
By Lee Hyo-jin, Kim Yoo-ra
CP Cub-Reporter lhj3220@cnu.ac.kr, yoora621@cnu.ac.kr