Café in the Saint Francis Hospital Trauma Emergency Center

 

Curtis Restaurant Supply began working with Saint Francis Health System in 2011 on a multifaceted remodel project. The coffee café was Stage 5 of the overall project.

 

It was featured in the January 2015 issue of Foodservice Equipment and Supplies magazine (click to download article). 

 

The café is conveniently located at the entrance of the hospital. It's rounded, stainless steel, wood veneer and solid surface counters make a huge visual impact to the space, but they were painstakingly difficult to construct. Curtis project manager, Penny Humphrey, worked meticulously over many weeks with other Trades and Manhattan Construction Company to ensure the equipment, above lighting, and cabinetry fit perfectly together.

 

As a remodel, there were also issues related to the age of the building.

 

"Saint Francis hospital is more than 50 years old," Humphrey says. "And trying to fit a design plan into an existing building of this age can be challenging. The original 1960s drawings left out much of the required detail. The project team worked together with the owner to make frequent changes to accomodate structural changes required dictated by the existing building."

Humphrey says, "For instance, the walk-in cooler is angled with six sides to accommodate existing pillar and fire exits. Bally manufacturing was instrumental in the creative solution to make it work."

Curtis Restaurant Supply provided the custom serving counters, including Federal bakery and deli merchandise cases, Turbochef microwave convection cooking, Hatco holding equipment, Vitamix blending stations for the frozen coffee drinks, Hobart dishwasher, True undercounter and reach-in refrigeration, and Bally walk-in cooler with reach-in doors.

Project Manager, Penny HumphreyHumphrey says, "The café finished up well. The client wanted to incorporate an intimate design concept into a large facility, and they got it. And just seeing the happy employees lining up for their morning coffee is very satisfying. They love the new space. It's the perfect ending to such a major project."

(Left: Curtis Project Manager, Penny Humphrey)