It’s one of the most beloved coffee and study spots on campus. Students come and go every day to drink delicious coffee at Beans Cafe. But who keeps this cafe running so successfully? 

The answer: new General Manager AJ Johannpeter.  

Johannpeter is a senior at DU who moved to campus three years ago from Porto Alegre, Brazil. She is majoring in hospitality management with a minor in international studies. 

She is frequently found in the hospitality building, home to the famed Beans Cafe, which is what inspired her to work at the coffee shop in the first place. 

“I’ve always loved Beans, and I’ve always known about it since freshman year. I would come here all the time; the people are super nice, and the atmosphere is very cozy,” she said.

The comfy couches, low lighting, and ambient music make the cafe desirable for doing homework or hanging with friends. 

Despite working at the cafe for a bit over a year, Johannpeter learned fast. She trained under the previous general manager for the entire 2024 Spring quarter and took on the role soon after, a position she’s held for only a couple of weeks now.  

Yet, being the general manager is no easy task. Johannpeter holds many different responsibilities. She must take inventory every week and contact suppliers so the cafe is never low on stock. She stays organized by making a weekly schedule for herself.

“I’m also working two barista shifts because we are short-staffed due to students abroad. I also schedule everyone to work, it is a bit of a puzzle, a lot of communication and problem-solving but also one of my favorite parts of being a general manager,” she said. 

While running a cafe is time-consuming, luckily, Johannpeter is not alone. The other staff provide lots of support for the general manager.

“Sam is the food manager, Caleb is events, and Ella is marketing, so everyone has their own tasks. We also have the manager meeting on Monday at 9 A.M. to discuss the store,” Johannpeter said.

Being the general manager comes with many ups and downs, however, Johannpeter finds organizing and training new employees to be one of the most rewarding aspects of the position.

In contrast, one of the more challenging aspects of this position Johannpeter said was, “Having to talk to people in a more serious way and problem-solving. Sometimes it’s a little much. For example, the first week of classes our espresso machine broke so that was stressful.”  

Beans has adapted to the challenges of the new school year. With the espresso machine now fixed, many other changes are being made.

“The people are the biggest change, almost everyone who worked here was a senior. Now we have new people,” Johannpeter said.

In addition to the new staff, Beans takes measures to make sure the menu is new and exciting.

“The menu changes every quarter, we also now have a hot box for the burritos,” she said.

The hot box has made the cafe run smoother. The staff used to take around ten minutes to make the hot food, but with this purchase, the staff can get food out faster. 

Beyond the menu, Beans hosts many events to unite the community.

“Every week we try to do something different, this week we have trivia night on Wednesday. Also, we have Beans after dark on Thursday, where we serve alcohol, which the students really enjoy,” she said.  

As Johannpeter begins the next chapter of her life, being the general manager has taught her many useful skills: managerial abilities, schedule making, how to converse with partners, venues, and coworkers, and most importantly, coffee skills. 

Reflecting on her time at DU, Johannpeter’s vision for her future has started to change. 

“I came to DU because I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to open a hotel and be a general manager but now I am not sure. Because of Beans, I am now thinking about food and beverages, which is a concentration at the hospitality school, and about opening a coffee shop,” she said.

Beans Cafe hires new people every spring quarter. Johannpeter said, “Apply in the spring through PCO, talk to people that work here, and just come in, and say hi.” 

So, fill out an application to become a part of not only a great coffee shop but also a supportive and welcoming community.