John Wagner, associate dean for the undergraduate program in the Eli Broad College of Business, said the coffee chain was approached about the location but declined the opportunity.

Biggby Coffee CEO and co-founder Fish, an MSU alumnus, said he was unaware his conversations with the university about a Biggby Coffee in the complex had ended.

“We thought we were still being considered,” Katie Koerner, a public relations assistant at Biggby Coffee, said.

She said the company was waiting on the renewal of its MSU Union location contract, and after that was approved, Biggby said it was able to move forward with discussion about the business complex location.

“As far as we know, we’ve not been (excluded),” Fish said. “When we had these conversations, it was multidimensional, both about the Union (and other campus locations). … (The proposal) was neither declined nor accepted.”

Although Wagner was unable to comment on Biggby’s lack of knowledge when it came to the decision, Assistant Director of Residential Dining Matt McKune said, “I have no idea what Biggby’s talking about.”

Guy Procopio, director of culinary services, said he was surprised Biggby representatives thought the company might still be in discussion about having a Biggby at the business complex. He said
Tim Hortons, Biggby Coffee and Starbucks were all approached about requests for proposals, or RFPs.

“Out of the three, only two elected to participate in the RFP,” Procopio said.

He said Sparty’s was considered for the location, but the size of the location wouldn’t be fitting and a different choice would allow for diversity of coffee brands on campus. Tim Hortons was turned down for size reasons as well.

Despite the confusion, Fish said he is not upset with the university or its decision.

“It’s my alma mater,” Fish said.

“They conduct themselves in a professional manner, and any dealings that I’ve had with them (have) been awesome.”

Theatre and psychology junior Ariel Farinha said although she is concerned about the confusion between the university and Biggby, she’s excited to have another coffee shop on campus.

“There definitely needs to be better communication” Farinha said.

Wagner said designs still need to be approved, but hopefully construction will begin in the next few weeks. He said the store will hopefully open between October and November this fall and will allow for a meeting of minds within the college.

“The purpose of it is to give students, faculty and staff a place to go grab a snack and talk,” Wagner said. “(It’s) a unique solution for a problem of lack of interaction in the business school … We think that this coffee shop will help solve these kinds of problems.”