Coming This Spring: New Campus Store and Snack Shop

Dear Friends,

Here we go! I am thrilled to share some exciting news about a new space that will soon take shape at the very heart of Whitfield’s campus—the first of several new spaces and physical transformations outlined in Whitfield 2030.

In preparation for the renovation of the IC, expected to begin this spring, we will permanently relocate the Conant Café and school store to the main building, transforming what was once a storage area at the entrance to the dining room into a modern, welcoming hub for our community. Earlier this week, we shared this news with students and introduced the upcoming naming process, inviting their voices and creativity into what this space will become. 

Once completed, the school shop will continue to operate before and after school. The new location will feature a service counter with stools, café tables extending into the Vernon W. and Marion K. Piper hallway, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. In the morning, students and families will be able to stop in for juice, hot chocolate, or a donut. After school, the space will offer snacks, sports drinks, and Whitfield merchandise, creating a natural gathering place at both the start and end of the day.

I am especially pleased to share that the Graves and Williams families (Lindsey ’01, P’29, ’32, ’32 and Justin Graves P’29, ’32, ’32; Betty and Jim Williams P’01, GP ’29, ’32, ’32) have stepped forward as lead donors for this project. Their generosity has made it possible for us to move forward quickly and confidently, and it reflects a deep commitment to strengthening daily life at Whitfield. We are grateful for their leadership and look forward to celebrating all of the families who support this project at a ribbon-cutting this spring, once construction is complete.

We are also grateful for the guidance of Interior Designer Amie Corley P ‘26, who is advising us on design choices to ensure the space reflects Whitfield’s character and supports the ways our community naturally gathers.

This project is an important and visible sign of Whitfield’s growing momentum. Even as we prepare for major, transformational work ahead, including the Rhodes Center for Academic Success, the renovation of Piper Courtyard, and a new multipurpose athletics facility, we are already investing in spaces that shape everyday experience. Before we break ground on those larger projects, we are creating something new, joyful, and immediate for our community to enjoy.

Construction will be led by Musick Construction and is scheduled to begin in late February, with completion anticipated when we return from Spring Break 2026. Much of the work will take place during the break to minimize disruption, allowing this space to open quickly as a vibrant part of campus life.

The store and café have long been powered by the generosity of parent volunteers, and relocating them to such a central location gives us an opportunity to invite even more families into this meaningful tradition of service. Volunteering is one of the most personal and rewarding ways to experience Whitfield’s community, and I hope many of you will consider getting involved.

At Whitfield, we believe community is something we build, moment by moment and space by space. This new school shop is a tangible expression of that belief, and I cannot wait to share the finished space with you. I look forward to the day we gather there together, watching conversations unfold in a place designed for connection.

With gratitude,

Chris Cunningham, Ph.D.
Head of School