Park coffee shop, student hangout shuts down
SLP Nest latest small business to fall to pandemic
SLP Nest closed its doors to the public Aug. 31. According to Program Coordinator Symone Wilson, the coffee shop served as a place for students to freely express themselves.
September 2, 2020
Following the closing of SLP Nest, junior Natasha Johannes said she will miss the convenience of Park’s student safe haven.
“It was a nice place to hang out with friends and study,” Johannes said. “I liked going there because I was supporting a smaller business.”
According to Nest Program Coordinator Symone Wilson, the struggles of keeping the local coffee shop open throughout the pandemic led to the decision to close the shop.
“It would take a mountain’s worth of effort on not only the staff’s end, but on the board’s, and we all each have our separate lives,” Wilson said. “We all are trying to deal with COVID-19 on top of that, so I totally understand the reasoning behind it, like we’re a smaller organization.”
Senior Zoe Frank said she was saddened by the closing of the Nest due to the proximity of the shop to Park.
“It was really sad to see it closed, especially when it was right by the high school and an up-and-coming place,” Frank said. “People put so much work into getting it off the ground.”.
The Nest served as a place for students to unwind and detach from the pressures of school, according to Wilson.
“It was a space for students to self-express and take on leadership roles,” Wilson said. “It provided a space in which you can drop stresses of school away and interact and engage with each other.”
The Nest also provided opportunities for students to showcase their artistic talents. Junior Anna Overall said she benefited from being able to do just that at an open mic hosted by the Nest.
“I remember I had a lot of friends that liked the local music scene and so I had a few friends come out and see me. Some family members came, and it was really cool to get interviewed by the yearbook and get so many pictures and my name on the school website,” Overall said.
Wilson said although she is disheartened by the Nest closing, she hopes there will be more opportunities in the future for students to express themselves.
“I’m obviously saddened, although I understand the reasoning and hope that the mission of the Nest can continue within other bases, other organizations within St. Louis Park and I know we have the potential to do that,” Wilson said. “I’m still very hopeful for what things can come out of what SLP Nest has started.”
