Bison, Bites and Brew (B3) has partnered with Coffee Tree Roasters, a women-owned local business, marking a new chapter for the cafe formerly known as Point Perk.

Point Perk, which opened in 2018, got its name through a Student Affairs contest, with Tiffany Walker submitting the winning entry. A similar naming contest was later run through the Entrepreneur Class in the Rowland School of Business.

The new name, Bison, Bites and Brew, was run through the contest then selected by a committee of students, faculty, and staff, according to Dean of Students Keith Paylo.

“I am excited for what the new cafe has to offer, but I do not like the new name because it confuses me. I thought the old name Point Perk flowed better,” said Sterre Kuijper, a graduate MBA student.

In an email interview, Paylo said he plans to announce the contest winners during the grand opening, which will take place in mid-September.

“Last year, students had expressed interest in moving away from the Starbucks brand and considering a local coffee purveyor. CulinArt listened to those requests and moved towards Coffee Tree Roasters as a local purveyor, and it has been met with excitement and positive feedback,” Paylo said.

The Globe previously reported the Student Government Association’s (SGA) past initiative to remove Starbucks products from campus cafés, which they said was due to its backing of the Israeli government and union-busting policies. 

Previously, Point Perk operated under the We Proudly Serve program, using equipment sourced for Starbucks products. Paylo said in the past that the decision to drop Starbucks was not financial or political.

Coffee Tree Roasters, the new provider, first opened in 1993 in a small location in Squirrel Hill and has since expanded throughout the Greater Pittsburgh Area. 

Orsi Tatai, a manager at B3, said, “Coffee Tree Roasters communicates very well and is helpful. We had two training sessions, and I am sure all of us learned new things about coffee.”

On August 25, B3 hosted a free sampling event in Village Park, offering bubble tea and smoothies.

“I do not like coffee, so when I saw they had options for bubble tea I was so excited. I tried the caramel bubble tea and it was really good. I am excited to see what else they have to offer,” said Tallyn Saville, a first-year criminal justice major.

Tatai also shared that B3 is partnering with Botrista, an automated beverage system that creates drinks at the touch of a button. 

“We have matcha, and there will be boba drinks and smoothies. The food is the same as last year. I think the drink options are really good, so the students will hopefully like them more,” said Tatai.

As part of its launch, B3 will be offering a free donut with the purchase of a coffee on Tuesday, September 2, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For more updates and deals, follow the café on Instagram at @bison_bites_brews