Best Study Spots in the Green Bay Area

By Kendahl Kivisto

Green Bay is famous not only for its football but also for its many educational institutions, including the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Saint Norbert College, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Bellin College, and even more. The plethora of colleges and universities in the area also means there are hundreds of dedicated students looking for somewhere to study or cram for their next big exam. With many small businesses spread out throughout the city, college students have lots of options. Some of the most popular locations include Kavarna Coffee House, Daily Buzz, and The Exchange.

Kavarna Coffee House is located at 143 N Broadway, Green Bay, WI 54303, and has been serving the Green Bay community since 1999. The cafe offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options and sources as much of its produce as possible from local agriculture. The new owners, Kayla and Mike, stated through their business website, “Many know Kavarna as a hangout spot, an office, a meeting room, a study lounge, or an event space, to name a few. In short, Kavarna aims to be a community center that provides delicious nourishment to sustain the important activities our patrons pursue.” Not only does Kavarna offer good food, coffee, and a place to study, but it also provides the community with occasional events such as original artist spotlights and live music as of recently. Kavarna is open seven days a week with the weekly hours of 7 am – 3 pm and the weekend hours of 8 am – 3 pm.

A comfortable seating area at Kavarna Coffee House.

A view of the food menu at Kavarna Coffee House.

A view from the front of the cash register of the bakery display and drink menu.

Daily Buzz is located not far from Kavarna at 124 E Walnut St #124, Green Bay, WI 54301. The location features an outdoor patio, lounge, coffee bar, and restaurant-style seating. Daily Buzz also puts out seasonal drink menus and has vegetarian and gluten-free options that can cater to a variety of customers. Not only does Daily Buzz provides students with a comfortable place to study, but it also affords its student customers a discount upon proof of a student ID. Daily Buzz also hosts the occasional event, such as Tarot & Tequila, which took place this past August. Daily Buzz is open seven days a week, 6 am – 7 pm Monday through Friday and 7 am – 6 pm Saturday and Sunday.

The Exchange Coffee, Mercantile, & Eatery at 317 Main Ave, De Pere, WI 54115, is a very popular spot for those located in the De Pere area. Not only does The Exchange feature a variety of drinks and great food, but it is also a boutique where they donate net profits to fund local non-profit organizations in the Green Bay area. According to their website, “[The owners] Shawn and Sonny realized that they wanted a way to be present in the community more than just at Sunday morning services. They intentionally decided to invest to be a part of the community and become a part of the business sector in the Green Bay Area.” While The Exchange may have religious affiliations, they still welcome all to their business. They are open Monday – Saturday, 7 am – 2 pm.

College students are some of the biggest customers of these businesses and show their support year-round. Senior college student Blaze Smith is a frequent customer of Daily Buzz and uses their space to study, get lunch, and meet with fellow students. Smith stated, “I like to study here because the environment is very calm and also keeps me focused. I have never really been able to study at home due to all the distractions. I also visit Daily Buzz because their hours fit perfectly with my schedule, and their coffee is delicious and inexpensive.”

While Green Bay may be famous for its abundance of tourist attractions and educational institutions, it also thrives and grows off of its small businesses. Daily Buzz, Kavarna, and The Exchange are just a few of the businesses in the community that not only support students but offer opportunities to everyone in the community.