It is a dark day for bagel and coffee lovers alike. The beloved coffee shop Higher Grounds, located on the upper level of the HUB, has closed with no signs of returning.

For many like me, Higher Grounds provided a short relief during a long day. The Starbucks and Irving’s partnership provided students with not only great coffee, but the best bagels and snacks as well.

In order to seek closure and honor this tragedy, I decided to give Higher Grounds the goodbye I was never able to.

Dear Higher Grounds,

You were a coffee shop, but you weren’t just any coffee shop — you were my special coffee shop. The role you played in my life was priceless (besides the hundreds of meal points I spent, of course). I depended on you and now that you’re gone I’m left feeling empty, mostly because my stomach now will be. Your absence in my life is something I’m not sure I will be able to replace. When I am standing in the endless Starbucks line downstairs, or waiting for my number to be called at Irving’s…I will think of you.

I thought what we had was real, so I can only take your sudden and unannounced closing personally. Every day I will walk by your now-gated entrance and miss the time we spent together. Whether it was on the way to class, during breaks, or on my way home, you were the best part of my day. You left me with a caffeine high that I now have to seek elsewhere, in a longer line at a slower, less convenient location.

Although I am left confused and sadden by your absence, I will remember you fondly. Your only mildly long lines and frequently broken toasters were all parts of your charm. You may be gone from HUB dinning, but you will never be gone from my heart.

Love forever,

Caitlin