New coffee shop at OACES opens its doors to give adult learners real-world experience in hospitality and business operations

Rochester, New York – The aroma of freshly brewed coffee now fills the halls of the Rochester City School District’s Office of Adult and Career Education Services (OACES), where a new chapter in hands-on learning has begun. On Thursday, OACES celebrated the grand opening of Common Grounds Coffee Shop, a space designed not only to serve coffee but to serve opportunity. The new café gives adult learners practical experience in hospitality, culinary arts, and small business operations—skills that prepare them for real careers in the workforce.

The café itself is the result of collaboration and creativity. Built and designed by students and instructors from the Building Maintenance and Facilities program, Common Grounds is a fully operational coffee shop that doubles as a working classroom. Every aspect—from the layout to the espresso machines—was developed with education in mind. Students are now learning how to manage every part of a café environment, from taking orders and preparing drinks to running the register and promoting the business.

At Common Grounds, lessons extend far beyond the technical aspects of making coffee. Students are practicing essential life and workplace skills—communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving—all within an authentic business setting. For many, this hands-on training represents the bridge between classroom learning and future employment.

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“Common Grounds, if we think about our journeys, we think about the commonality that exists with all of us,” said Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, Superintendent of Schools. “We all strive to make ourselves and our communities better. This space truly represents the best of what happens when education, innovation, and possibility all come together.”

The coffee shop embodies the OACES mission to provide adult learners with pathways toward self-sufficiency and confidence. Lia Festenstein, Executive Director of OACES, said the project reflects the program’s vision for the future. “Common Grounds is so much more than a coffee shop; it is a live training environment built around the realities of today’s economy and the future of work,” she said. “This is a classroom, a workforce training site, and a community hub. It teaches hospitality, entrepreneurship, customer service, and confidence.”

For students, the impact is personal and transformative. One learner, who came to Rochester from Cuba last year, shared how the program has changed her comfort level in speaking English and interacting with customers. “Talking directly with customers has helped me practice my English and feel more confident,” she said. “My dream is to open my own business one day.”

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Another student, originally from Sudan, brought years of experience as a catering chef in Israel before joining OACES. For her, the program has been a chance to refine her craft while adapting to a new country and culture. “This program has given me so much,” she said. “I have learned about food safety, new cooking skills, and my English has gotten even better.”

The café also serves as a symbol of community connection. It’s a place where staff, students, and visitors can gather for a cup of coffee while supporting adult learners who are building their future. The name “Common Grounds” reflects that idea perfectly—a shared space where stories, cultures, and ambitions come together.

Open inside the OACES building, Common Grounds offers a variety of coffee and espresso beverages, crafted and served by students who are gaining real-world experience with every cup. The café represents more than a new addition to the building—it’s a model for how education can adapt to meet the demands of the modern workforce.

Through Common Grounds, OACES is turning learning into doing and transforming a simple coffee shop into a place where confidence, skill, and community grow side by side.