The coffee scene on campus will be seeing major changes this fall as Starbucks — which has lived in Zimmerman Library for over 10 years — will be moving to the Student Union Building, and a new local coffee spot, named Cà Phê Culture, will be opening its doors in its place.
The cafe comes from the creators of Bing Tea, the mobile boba and dessert cafe that has made numerous stops on campus and become a favorite of students with its iconic black and pink food truck.
In a statement to the Daily Lobo, University of New Mexico Director of University Communication Steve Carr wrote that the decision was prompted by feedback from students and the campus community through a regularly conducted survey.
“Feedback gathered through a 2025 Qualtrics survey, along with planned renovation needs, helped guide planning for campus coffee locations,” Carr’s statement reads.
Carr wrote that UNM Food identified an opportunity to restore a full-service coffee location to the Student Union Building and introduce a local vendor at Zimmerman Library.
“Together, the projects are intended to refresh two well-used campus spaces and expand options for students, faculty, staff and visitors,” the statement reads.
Both locations are closed for renovations for the summer and are expected to open at the beginning of the fall semester, according to the statement.
Shawn Penman, a staff member at the UNM Earth Data Analysis Center said she “loves” boba tea after her niece got her “hooked,” and is familiar with Bing Tea because she had their boba when the truck visited the campus.
“I will be excited to have a boba tea place on campus since I am always complaining that there is no place to get boba within walking distance,” Penman said.
David Le, who co-owns Bing Tea with his wife Hieu, told the Daily Lobo that their business vision started with their love of Vietnamese coffee.
“Growing up, coffee was always part of our family and our culture. It wasn’t just about getting a pick me up, it was about slowing down, sitting together, having conversations, and spending time with the people you care about,” Le wrote. “It’s our chance to share a piece of our culture with the UNM community.”
Le said they plan to serve Vietnamese coffee, alongside signature drinks inspired by those flavors, as well as handcrafted fruit teas, milk teas, lemonades, matcha and other drinks. Cà Phê Culture will also be partnering with local bakers to offer fresh pastries.
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Penman said she went to Starbucks at Zimmerman and always had a positive experience, and that she looks for “an interesting environment, and good coffee” when choosing a spot to get coffee.
“If I have a choice of a local coffee shop, it would be my first choice, so I anticipate going to Starbucks less since I will have a local choice now,” Penman said.
Le is a UNM alum, and said he remembers being a student who was often “rushing between classes and searching for a place to recharge.”
“Our hope is that Cà Phê Culture becomes part of that experience for the next generation of Lobos. A place where students and faculty can grab a great drink, take a break, and feel welcomed,” Le wrote. “Coming back as alumni to open a café inside the place where we once studied is something we never imagined would happen.”
Leila Chapa is the social media and photo editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
Leila Chapa is the photo editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
