The Blue-ys Have Taken Over

Our favorite spot is reaching its final days and our community is reacting. 

Think of the times you warmed up with a hot lavender latte on chilly mornings, were late to class because of the wait for your Little Fatty sandwich, received eye-rolls for asking the baristas for a cup of ice (which would normally cost a dollar extra), or spent $14 on an iced coffee and empanada. The news that our beloved Bluey’s is being converted into an office building in December has sparked sadness and frustration across campus.

Since the beginning of many students’ journeys at New Roads, a significant part of that experience has been Bluey’s Cafe. For many, Bluey’s holds special meaning: whether it’s a place to connect with friends during lunch, a study spot during late starts or after school (even without the Wi-Fi), or a spot to enjoy brunch or breakfast, Bluey’s has been an absolute staple for students and teachers on campus.

“Since starting at New Roads in freshman year, Bluey’s Cafe has been one of the most significant parts of my experience,” says junior Sofie Azarbal, a self-proclaimed Bluey’s enthusiast. Azarbal spends most of her mornings at Blueys getting her usual order: an iced lavender latte with oat milk. She has built relationships with the baristas, some of whom now know her by name. “I think what I’ll miss most about Blueys is getting an iced lavender latte with oat milk, along with the kind people who make it every morning,” Azarbal says.

Aside from Blueys fantastic healthy food selection and wide variety of overpriced lattes, it’s the community at Blueys that matters most to its customers and baristas. One barista, named Gloria, nearly teared up when asked about its closing in November. She shared what she will miss most about working at Blueys: “The environment we work in is very friendly. I have had previous jobs that were so toxic. This is truly one of the best environments to work in.” She expressed sadness at having to find another job after only six months but is grateful for the time and the opportunity to gain new work experiences.

(Photo courtesy of Mia Attie)

Azarbal patiently waiting for her order 

Similar to Azarbal’s experience, junior Dhira Uranga reflects on what she will miss most about Bluey’s: “I’m going to miss my iced lavender matcha with oat milk and vanilla syrup, their warm scones that I got every morning, the ginger shots I would take when I wasn’t feeling well, and the cup of ice I would get to cool off on a hot day at school. I don’t know what I’m going to do without Bluey’s. Well, I know I’m going to save money, that’s for sure,” Uranga says. Additionally, she shares that she gravitated toward Bluey’s because it was not only super convenient but also had a vibrant atmosphere. She shares that she is thinking about going to Endless Noise as an alternative option to Blueys. Additionally, she continues to talk about what a great place it was to socialize with her peers, as it was such a staple for New Roads students and hopes that Endless Noise will become that. 

Another barista, April, who has worked at Blueys for two years, says, “I’m going to miss my co-workers the most; we’ve become like a family.” She expressed sadness that Bluey’s is turning into an apartment complex after eight years at that location, first known as Bondi Harvest before transitioning to Bluey’s.

As the community prepares to say our final goodbye to Blueys Cafe, it’s clear that the café’s impact extends far beyond its lattes and avocado toast. The loss of Blueys represents not just the end but also the closing of a chapter in the lives of students on campus and people in the New Roads community. While new developments may emerge in its place, the spirit of Blueys and the joy it brought students every morning will undoubtedly linger on.