One way you can support our efforts is to purchase a gift card. This will help us with our immediate financial needs to pay our staff and other expenses. It gives you the opportunity to get some great food when our restaurants reopen. We are thankful for everyone’s support during this difficult time. #GoWes
Today we opened the Red & Black Cafe to do our part helping feed students as they were leaving campus. While we are not the primary campus dining service provider, we have always felt committed to serving the Wesleyan community no matter the circumstances. Snow storms, power outages etc. We have always been there as long as we believed we could do so without endangering our staff or customers.
Today was a challenge. We began the day short staffed trying to prep both the dining area to accommodate a takeout only setup as well as our menu. When we opened our registers, we found the Blackboard system down making it difficult to ascertain if students still had funds or not. We assured our customers that everyone would be fed regardless of ability to pay. Later as more people came in, we quickly moved to a text order only system to create more social distancing as the increased number of waiting customers began to create anxiety amongst both staff and customers.
By mid afternoon we learned of the all campus email encouraging students to leave ASAP and/or not attempt returning to campus at this time. In addition several of our suppliers informed us of problems they were facing.
As we have said, staying open to feed our student customers has always been a priority. Unfortunately the conditions, the safety of our staff and the reality of what we are capable of, have made us come to the conclusion that we must for the time being close both locations.
As we have previously announced, all of our non student full and part time employees will continue to be paid their regular wages up to 40 hours/week until our regularly scheduled summer break.
We have not made the decision to permanently close for the semester. We will continue to maintain both locations. This will allow us to quickly reopen and provide service if needed. We are waiting to see how many students will remain on campus and what the guidance from government officials will be in the coming weeks.
Please follow us on our various social media platforms as well as our website for updates.
We appreciate everything this community has done for us. We are so lucky to be part of the Wesleyan family. We are heartbroken to make this decision but know it is the right thing to do.
The Red & Black Cafe is open with several changes.
Hours of operation Everyday 9am-5pm
There is no dining inside. We have sectioned off tables and chairs and ask that all orders be taken to go
We encourage everyone to take advantage of our text ordering 860-650-1214
Our self serve coffee has been removed and we will make all coffee orders including adding milk, cream etc
No refills in your own mug. All mug club refills will be in single use paper cups
If you are sick or feeling any symptoms we ask that you not come inside. We will provide alternative means to get you food. Text us your order and we’ll arrange for you to pick up in a more secure area.
We will not be able to accommodate stocking up on large quantities. While we have a decent supply of drinks, we will limit people buying more than 6 bottled drinks.
There will be no “burning your points” Typically at the end of the semester, we encourage people to use or lose their points, but not this week. We are focused on providing everyone their immediate dining needs and will not be selling extra items.
We will also not be accepting any points donations. We know many of you want to do what you can to help us and our staff during the next few months. As we have stated, we will be paying our non student staff at both Weswings and Red & Black regardless of whether we are open or not. We want to assure all of our customers and staff we are prepared to handle the next few months. We are making necessary moves to meet our immediate financial needs. Wesleyan is working to responsibly process refunds for room and board. While there have been occasions in the past for charitable points donations, what is needed now is a calm process. After the semester is over, we will be working with the administration to assess our needs. We will definitely be counting on our customers to help us when they return by dining with us as much as possible.
Please be patient with us, as this is a rapidly evolving situation. We will continue to keep everyone updated. We are committed to doing what we can to help the Wesleyan community (students faculty and staff) in a safe and responsible way.
To all of our customers, staff and the entire Wesleyan family. We want to let you know what services Weswings and the Red & Black Cafe will be offering during the next few weeks and remainder of the semester.
Our upcoming schedule remains unchanged. The Red & Black Cafe will be reopening on Monday March 16th. It will be open 9am-5pm March 16-22. On Monday March 23rd it will return to regular hours 9am-8pm M-F and 9-5 Sat & Sun until March 30th.
WesWings will reopen Friday March 20th and will be open 11am-8pm until March 30th. Weswings has extended its afternoon hours to reduce congestion at mealtimes and to be able to serve students at off hours during their move.
After March 30, both locations plan to remain open to service any students, faculty and staff who are remaining on campus. We will reevaluate our hours of operation and may reduce them depending on customer needs.
To our student staff: If there are any student workers who receive permission to remain on campus, we will make every effort to schedule hours for you.
To our non student full and part time staff: We are making every effort to maintain our work schedules. During the end of March as students are moving off campus, there may be increases or decreases in schedules depending on needs. After March 30th, we will reevaluate our needs and adjust schedules accordingly. If at anytime during the next two months it becomes necessary to close either location, everyone will continue to be paid their regular hours up to 40 hrs per week until our regularly scheduled summer break May 16th. This pandemic is causing so many disruptions and hardships for so many people. We want to do as much as we can to support our staff. You are what make our restaurants run so smoothly and allow us to be successful. You have been there for us, we want to do what we can to help you too. While this entire experience will be a huge financial loss for us, our staff is the backbone of our restaurants and we know this is the right thing to do.
We have been here for almost 30 years and have served the Wesleyan community through blizzards, ice storms and lockdowns. We’ve been through the best and worst of times and always come through. This time will be no different.
Eggs Benedict with fresh Asparagus one of many Weekend Brunch specials
You’ve heard about it. They have cookie dough. Maybe you even ate here during WesFest. But now you’re here, standing in line, with a crowd around you, and you hear one of the cashiers yell, “Can I help who’s next?”
WesWings can be a little daunting the first few times. Some will panic and just order a burger and fries or a chicken sandwich. Our menu is pretty extensive and the choices are vast.
What kind of bread?
Regular or spicy fries?
What kind of sauce?
Here or to go?
To list just a few of the questions you’ll be asked.
So here are a few ideas to help you get the most out of our little establishment Remember, yes we take points and like the Red & Black Cafe, we are a small independent business owned by Karen & Ed ’89
Water is free, cups are not. We charge 25 cents for a water cup so if you don’t want to buy a drink, bring your own mug. We do this to reduce waste, not make money.
To Go containers are free. Our portions are big and delicious so why not bring it home.
Eggs Benedict with fresh Asparagus one of many Weekend Brunch specials
You’ve heard about it. They have cookie dough. Maybe you even ate here during WesFest. But now you’re here, standing in line, with a crowd around you, and you hear one of the cashiers yell, “Can I help who’s next?”
WesWings can be a little daunting the first few times. Some will panic and just order a burger and fries or a chicken sandwich. Our menu is pretty extensive and the choices are vast.
What kind of bread?
Regular or spicy fries?
What kind of sauce?
Here or to go?
To list just a few of the questions you’ll be asked.
So here are a few ideas to help you get the most out of our little establishment Remember, yes we take points and like the Red & Black Cafe, we are a small independent business owned by Karen & Ed ’89
Water is free, cups are not. We charge 25 cents for a water cup so if you don’t want to buy a drink, bring your own mug. We do this to reduce waste, not make money.
To Go containers are free. Our portions are big and delicious so why not bring it home.
Why spend 2 points or more every meal for your beverage? Our Mug Club is not only good for the environment, it’s good for your points balance.
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