COLUMBIA — For almost the entire summer, the Columbia Public Library has been without a coffee vendor, and after rejecting its only applicant to run the kiosk, the library has not been actively looking for new applicants.
During its July meeting, the Daniel Boone Regional Library Board voted down Dennis Nicks' application to run the vacated coffee kiosk, which Lakota Coffee Company left in early June.
Nicks did not meet the requirements the library board was looking for, said Elinor Barrett, library spokeswoman. The board wanted someone with prior coffee shop management experience as well as sufficient funds to purchase and operate the kiosk, Barrett said.
“Dennis told us when he applied that he knew he did not meet the requirements because he had no prior experience as a manager and would also need to find investors,” Barrett said.
Barrett said the board did not want to see Nicks go into debt because of his venture into the coffee business.
Lakota owner Skip DuCharme said the kiosk wasn't a good investment for him any longer and thus pulled his operations. Lakota still operates coffee kiosks in University Hospital and Boone Hospital Center.
Since Nicks’ application was declined, the library has not been looking for new applicants, Barrett said; however, it is keeping applications open.