Open House Planned for College's New Arts Cafe in Downtown Franklin

Release date: November 15, 2012

Franklin College will host an open house for its new cafe, 66 Water St. Arts Cafe, on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 5 p.m. to midnight, in collaboration with the Franklin Chamber of Commerce Holiday Lighting festivities. The cafe is located at 66 S. Water St. in downtown Franklin.

The cafe, a partnership between the City of Franklin and Franklin College, was developed as a place where students and community members could connect over coffee in a creative, collaborative environment. It also provides the opportunity for FC students to participate in applied learning opportunities.

The 2,300 square-foot space includes a student art gallery, with artwork rotating on a monthly basis, coffee, specialty drinks, college-themed apparel and limited food choices. The college has consigned with local restaurants including Athens Restaurant and Steakhouse, Benjamin's Coffeehouse and Don and Dona's Restaurant to provide a limited menu.

"66 Water St. Arts Cafe was born from collaboration and partnerships and will serve as a creative connector between the college and the community," said Lisa Fears, vice president for planning, plant and technology. "We are grateful to the mayor and the city of Franklin for their partnership with the project, as well as the local businesses helping provide our menu items."

Fears said that while during the month of December the cafe will have shortened hours, she anticipates normal business hours will be from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily once it is fully operational.

For more information, contact the Franklin College Office of Marketing and Communications at (317) 738-8185.

Founded in 1834, Franklin College is a residential four-year undergraduate liberal arts institution with a scenic, wooded campus located 20 minutes south of downtown Indianapolis. The college prepares men and women for challenging careers and fulfilling lives through the liberal arts, offering its approximately 1,000 students 28 majors, 36 minors and eight pre-professional programs. In 1842, the college began admitting women, becoming the first coeducational institution in Indiana and the seventh in the nation. Franklin College maintains a voluntary association with the American Baptist Churches USA. For more information, visit www.franklincollege.edu.