As announced this past February, Fordham Lincoln Center’s long-favored Argo Tea shop will be replaced by the completely student-run Saxbys cafe. The Lincoln Center campus will be the home of the first Saxbys location in New York City.
Anna Costello, a Saxbys employee, is lending an experienced hand to the cafe. Costello began as a student cafe executive officer (SCEO) at Drexel University in 2019 and is now an area operations manager for Saxbys. She described how embracing student leadership — and “really, really good grilled cheese” — allows Saxbys to foster community.
“We have such a diverse team, and they have so many interests and are plugged into so many different things on (the Lincoln Center) campus,” Costello said. “So I’m excited to see what they’re interested in bringing.”
Saxbys ELP is dedicated to empowering students to take an active role in the development of modern business.
The Fordham branch of Saxbys operates under the Saxbys Experiential Learning Platform (ELP). Saxbys ELP is dedicated to empowering students to take an active role in the development of modern business. They have expanded to colleges down the East Coast, establishing a Saxbys cafe and an SCEO in each school.
Aidan Engelmann, Gabelli School of Business (GSBLC) ’26, is the current SCEO of Fordham Lincoln Center’s Saxbys. Engelmann credited Costello, Saxbys headquarters and Fordham as a “constant support system” throughout the cafe’s development. For Engelmann, Saxbys offers students more than “just a job.”
“It’s a community first and foremost,” Engelmann said. “On top of that, it’s a learning platform … that can really teach all of the team members … new things that they might not have experienced before and give them kind of hands-on experience in the real world.”
Many Fordham Lincoln Center students have indicated regret towards the dispersion of the former Argo employees. However, Engelmann reassured that they are “thankfully still … on campus,” and expressed excitement for introducing the Saxbys spirit to campus.
“I know Argo had a great community,” Engelmann said. “But I also know that having students behind the bar — people that you’re friends with, people that you see on the day to day in classes … creates a lot more of a campus feel.”
The Saxbys team also expressed excitement for bringing a wide array of menu options to Fordham Lincoln Center students.
“I’m very happy that it’s student-run. I feel like it makes me want to go there more.” Camille Beaufort, GSBLC ’29
Just in time for fall, the Saxbys team is preparing their house-made pumpkin flavor for students to give their drinks an autumnal quality. Costello explained that, while other coffee houses may use “watery” syrups, their recipe is derived from “pumpkin puree,” creating a “thick” and more natural drink flavoring. Keeping their drinks natural for students is important to Saxbys, as they do not add any extra sweeteners.
The “Fit FroLatte” is also unique to Saxbys. A specialty cold coffee, Costello described it as a “smooth, thick, smoothie-type of cold brew.” Cruz recommended the matcha version of the “Fit Frolatte,” predicting that, if students add their house-made pumpkin flavor, it would be an especially popular menu item.
Camille Beaufort, GSBLC ’29, attended Engelmann’s presentation on Saxbys. Beaufort expressed her enthusiasm for Engelmann’s potential as a leader, and she is “sure (Saxbys) is going to be a big hit on campus.”
“I think he’s very well spoken … I’m very happy that it’s student-run. I feel like it makes me want to go there more,” Beaufort said. “Especially in business, everyone is kind of sharks … so I think he’s doing great.”
While first-year students are excited about Saxbys, older FCLC students have expressed grief over the sudden closing of Argo. Dany Wilson, FCLC ’26, described how the switch came “as a shock” and wished that the student body had been given more context.
“A lot of students who built rapport with those workers in Argo have to now experience something different … combined with the fact that we’re almost two months into the semester and Saxbys isn’t even done yet — stuff like that has a lot of people skeptical about how it’s going to run,” Wilson said.
When Saxbys was first announced to replace Argo Tea in mid February, the opening had been advertised to take place in September. The unfinished status of the cafe throughout this month has left students puzzled, but Orla Fitzsimons, director of dining business operations and contract management, claimed that opening in October “had been part of the planning timeline for some time.”
“As Argo Tea continued operating through the spring semester 2025, all teams were focused on ensuring a smooth and timely transition,” Fitzsimons said.
Fitzsimons expressed her and the United Student Government’s approval of the Saxbys partnership, explaining that it “enhances both the academic and culinary options” at Fordham.
The Saxbys at Fordham Lincoln Center will operate Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., on Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. The cafe will be closed on Sundays, and modify their hours during breaks.
