Through the Years- Hopkins History
What age youth are welcome at the Depot and when?
Friday nights the Depot is geared towards high school students (9th–12th grade), but all ages are welcome.
Who runs the Depot?
The students describe their governance as "student decisions with adult guidance." The Depot is led by a student board of directors which meets weekly, and is currently comprised of 13 students and 3 adults. Additionally, the business department teachers may agree on the appointment of two business class students for a period of two terms. This board sets policy, works with staff to run programs, works on financial development and planning to sustain the Depot project. There are two management staff members, one manages the Coffee House business and the other runs the youth community project side and works more closely with the student board. There are a number of part-time staff who work behind the counter, the number of whom depends on the number of hours the Depot is open.
How can the students run the Depot without any adults?
In addition to the adult advisors on the board, the students of the Depot have a Partnership Agreement with institutional partners including the City of Hopkins, Hopkins Police Department, the Ridgedale YMCA, Park Nicollet Foundation and Hopkins School District #270. This group meets monthly to make sure the Depot is "on track" from safety, legal and financial perspectives. All Depot employees are employed by the City of Hopkins.
Where does the Depot get its money?
Annually, the budget of the Depot Coffee House has grown from under $100,000 to nearly $200,000 in 2003. The Depot currently receives money from counter concessions, grants, donations, cover charges for Friday concerts, and various fundraisers. The Depot Coffee House operations are financially supported through concession sales and building rentals.
The Depot has also received financial support in the past and continues to receive in-kind support from the Partners. The students do many fundraisers throughout the year to augment the budget and are looking for community help in this area.
How are the Schools involved?
Can students get credit for participating at the Depot?
Is it just Hopkins School District?
The Hopkins School District provides levy for lease funds in order to use The Depot as a "Learning Lab" for the Business Department. Students have created ads for products on display inside the Depot, and have designed specific promotional campaigns in partnership with the Depot board and staff. Depot board members have been invited into business classes to present the details of the project and ask for specific help and expertise. A "Handbook for The Depot Coffee House / Business Class Learning Lab" has been developed, contains history, rationale, procedures and specific work product, and will be updated on an on-going basis as the program grows and changes.
The majority of the student board must be Hopkins School District residents and/or attend Hopkins schools, but the remainder of the board can be filled from other school districts.
Has the Depot won any awards or special recognition?
- April 2007, the Depot was named a "Point of Pride" by the Think Hopkins marketing initiative.
- April 2003, for the Depot 100th celebration, both the City of Hopkins and the State of Minnesota decreed proclamations on behalf of The Depot
- 2003, Depot became a Peace Site
- 2001, Featured at Taste of Minnesota
- 2000, City Pages Coffee House of the Year
- 1997, in regards to its partnership with the Depot, the City of Hopkins received a Certificate of Commendation from Governor Arne Carlson.
- "Whatever" TV show has featured the Depot several times
- Since opening, the Depot has been invited as presenters several times at the League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference.
