BELOIT – Business and marketing students at Beloit High School are having a real-world experience at running a business and forming partnerships in the community through designing and operating a coffee shop in the high school called Trojan Grounds.

The coffee shop opened in February and is located near the library in space that that used to be a storage area and dark room. Demolition of the area became part of an overall redesign project in the school, which is participating in the Kansans Can School Redesign Project hosted by the Kansas Department of Education.

The Trojan Grounds students enjoy being the face of what they have created during public presentations about the project. Some even spend time on the weekends baking and freezing items to sell during the school week and continually bring new ideas to the business. Once the shop is generating profits, money not needed keep the shop running will be invested in scholarships for students involved in Trojan Grounds.

Grant funds were used in the remodeling phase and to get start-up supplies and equipment.