I will never forget the day I walked into the School Store, looked at the fridge, turned to Mimi, and asked her: “Where are the La Colombes?”
She looked at me with deep sorrow in her eyes as she told me the most devastating news the SPS Community could fathom. They weren’t selling La Colombes anymore. My heart dropped to my feet and my eyes welled with tears. “Our vendor does not sell them anymore,” she said, “because La Colombe decided to only privately distribute them.”
I knew this was news I had to share with the rest of the St. Paul’s community.
For those who loved La Colombes, you were acquainted with the white can and beautiful printed words: “Vanilla, Mocha, Double Shot, Triple Shot.” La Colombe carried me through my darkest days here at St. Paul’s and I know it did the same for so so many others.
The loss of La Colombe to the community is truly unfathomable, and I am still in shock. But I demand justice. Why gone so fast? We didn’t even get to say goodbye. No warning, radio silence. I am left with so many regrets. I should’ve savored my time with my La Colombes, and said a thankful prayer to them each day.
La Colombe costs less than 4 dollars per can. “There are some weeks that we sell approximately 100 cans,” says Mimi. Although I tried to curb my La Colombe coffee addiction due to primarily the amount of money I was spending per day, I’d say I bought a can three or four times per week and I know many who did the same.
The store has been in touch with La Colombe and are waiting for communication about continuing to provide this coffee for students. The repercussions of the La Colombe exile are impossible to predict. While contributing to more financial responsibility, it will simultaneously contribute to tired, sad, and grieving students. To summarize, we are left destitute—without La Colombe.