Catalyst Coffee opened for Greenhill faculty and students on April 12 inside the new Valdes STEM + Innovation Center.  

The shop’s soft opening was April 9. Faculty and students browsed inside from 9-11 a.m. as a preview. 

 Catalyst is now open from 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. on weekdays for students and staff. The menu was created by the Australian company LDU Coffee and features an assortment of pastries, coffee and teas. 

Finding LDU 

A coffee shop was always the plan for the new STEM center. However, the logistics of making that a reality required trial and error, according to Associate Head of School Kendra Grace, who also serves as Greenhill’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer.  

“[Head of School Lee] Hark knew he wanted a coffee shop in the new building from the beginning,” said Grace. “It’s a new way to foster community.” 

As part of the planning process, Grace and Director of Operations and Logistics Crystal Dixon went to Houston to visit the coffee shop at Kinkaid School. 

“Ms. Dixion and I went down to Kinkaid, and we saw their coffee shop,” said Grace. “We liked their concept and knew we wanted to expand on it.” 

After months of interviewing and research, the decision was made to partner with LDU and SAGE, Greenhill’s dining service, to create Catalyst Coffee, according to Dixon. 

“It all fell into place,” said Hark. “[LDU]’s very careful with their brand and is expanding quickly, but they really fell in love with the school and everything we stand for.” 

With Catalyst Coffee, students and faculty now have a larger variety of beverage and snack options on campus. It also improves the quality of snack options on campus, as every pastry is locally made, according to Dixon.  

“It seems more like a college campus,” said freshman Julian Kincheloe. “The coffee shop gives us more options for food.” 

Rules and Reviews 

Although Catalyst Coffee is located within the Valdes STEM + Innovation Center, the school has prohibited food and drinks inside the building’s classrooms. This rule has prompted mixed reviews from faculty and students. 

“It’s weird how they put a coffee shop in the VSI when we can’t eat in the classrooms,” said Kincheloe.  

Faculty members say the rule in part is related to safety.  

“Since many classrooms are science labs, it is very important for safety reasons to keep the rooms food-free,” said Upper School science teacher Candace Craig. 

However, the rule does not prevent students from enjoying coffee and pastries in the study spaces outside the classrooms.  

Thus far, the lines outside the new campus hotspot during breaks suggest that Hark’s vision of the coffee shop as a catalyst for fostering community is proving true.  

“[The coffee shop] means the same thing as if it were on a college campus,” said Hark. “It’s meant as a community center and to attract people.”