Library Celebrates Opening of Argo Tea Café

SUNY Buffalo State will celebrate the opening of the new Argo Tea Café in E. H. Butler Library with a tea toasting ceremony on Tuesday, February 4, at 12:15 p.m.

Argo Tea—a burgeoning national chain with locations in New York City, Boston, and Chicago—is the newest addition to the college’s expansive food service operations and the latest renovation to the library, which has undergone a series of improvements in recent years to better accommodate student needs.

"We survey our students regularly and continue to hear that they desire more spaces to eat, relax, and study,” said Maryruth Glogowski, associate vice president, library and instructional technology. "As reference materials have become increasingly electronic, we were able to take advantage of space that was previously occupied by stacks and index tables and transform it into a comfortable space for students to collaborate with classmates or relax in between classes."

Argo Tea emerged as the vendor of choice for Glogowski after close collaboration with Manny Lezama, resident district manager of Chartwells, and Timothy Ecklund, associate vice president for housing and auxiliary enterprises.

"Argo was part of a portfolio of options provided by Manny,” said Glogowski. “I liked the tea concept and Buffalo does not have many venues that specialize in teas. I strongly believe that libraries should promote healthy eating."

Argo Tea offers a unique line of all natural and nutritionally-balanced fresh foods and baked goods to complement its signature teas and beverages.

The $630,000 project, which was designed by BHNT Architects, P.C., marks another milestone in Buffalo State’s $350 million construction boom scheduled through 2018.

Video by Katie Bertel, E. H. Butler Library