College & Career Prep
Carmel Café and DECA Lab
Carmel Café started in 2014 when students of Carmel High School’s DECA entrepreneurship program began selling coffee in the back of the club’s spirit shop. In just a few years, the Cafe’s popularity exploded, with revenues reaching $90,000 in 2017. To support the club’s efforts, Fanning Howey worked with DECA students to transform the spirit shop into a state-of-the-art business lab. The newly renovated space supports Carmel Café and provides everything the students need to gain real-world business experience. From budgeting and logistics, to preparing beverages and working the register, students learn the ins and outs of running a business.
Expertise
College & Career Prep, High Schools
Client
Carmel Clay Schools
Location
Carmel, IN
Scope
2,037 Renovated SF
Challenges
Design a learning environment for students to gain real-world business experience
CARMEL CAFE & DECA LAB
The new Carmel Café provides a comfortable, inspiring atmosphere for students to gain real-world business experience.
CARMEL CAFE & DECA LAB
The café sells a wide variety of beverages and school apparel, and the students even developed an app allowing customers to order coffee to their classrooms.
CARMEL CAFE & DECA LAB
From budgeting and logistics, to preparing beverages and working the register, students learn the ins and outs of running a business.
CARMEL CAFE & DECA LAB
The space also serves as a favorite student destination for studying, collaboration and socialization.
Our students have always had fun, but now they also take pride in the business. They even wear their work hats around school.
