Unaware of the impending demise of the Coffee House (CoHo), students left campus last June oblivious to the fact that a favorite meeting spot and student concert venue was cleaning its crepe griddle for the last time.

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Sammy Abusrur

The new Axe & Palm eatery begins normal operating hours this week.

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#gallery http://daily.stanford.edu/image/full/7888
Sammy Abusrur

The doors of the venerable CoHo are closed. It remains unclear what will take the creperie’s place in Tresidder Union.

But the CoHo’s closing was anticipated by the University administration, if not students, as part of Old Union renovations. Last week witnessed the opening of a new campus eatery, the Axe & Palm, inside the refurbished building.

As for the CoHo, Assistant Dean and Director of Student Unions Jeanette Smith-Laws said the administration had not decided what to do with the newly vacant space, saying only that it will be reintegrated into Tresidder Union, where it is located. For now, it just means one fewer acronym for new freshmen to learn.

The University wanted a dining option available in the renovated Old Union in order to create a one-stop venue for student groups, concerts and dining, Smith-Laws said.

“It’s not like we’re losing it,” she said of the CoHo. “We’re just creating that ambience here in the Union.”

Students, however, were quick to point out that the ambience of the new eatery is not the same as the eclectic feel of the CoHo.

“It’s more like a diner than a coffee house,” said Abimbola Dairo ‘10.

Rachel Sampson ‘10 called the new eatery “a better Late Nite,” citing similar greasy foods and operational hours until 2 a.m.

Both students said they were reserving judgment until they had tried the Axe & Palm a few more times, but they agreed that the new cafe has faster service and more seating space than the CoHo, though it lacks the coziness of the older venue.

For many, the comfortable dimness of the CoHo and the promise of seeing familiar faces made the Tresidder space a favorite haunt. Now, upperclassmen complain that the only faces you’ll see at the Axe & Palm are ruddy freshmen.

“The CoHo was a great place to meet people for group projects,” said Nina Joshi ‘09. She doubted that the Axe & Palm would be able to replicate the lively yet productive atmosphere of its predecessor.

Chris Butler, a development associate at the Office of Development, said he missed the crepes but gave the Axe & Palm an overall thumbs-up.

“It doesn’t have the same character, but the food’s good,” he said. “The breakfast selections are my favorite.”

The menu items are based on the results of student surveys, said Smith-Laws, who promised that “the menu will evolve like the programs” in the new Union.

A student-composed program board for the Old Union space will convene by the second week of October to organize activities and programming for the new Old Union, including the Axe & Palm.

Contact Heather Heistand at hheistand@gmail.com.