The day has arrived and The Commons is now open. Students received emails on Monday, Feb. 24 confirming the opening of two vendors on the first floor of the building.

“Starbucks is NOW OPEN!” read an email from the UNA info account, which students received at 8:28 a.m. “Come see us at The Commons building at UNA.”

UNA info sent out a similar notification regarding the opening of Frostbite at 10: 13 a.m.

Although The Commons is now open, students should still use caution and treat the area as a construction site, said Ben Baker, director of Student Financial Services.

“There is still work going on both inside and outside of this building,” Baker said. “Be aware that this is still an active construction project. There’s still work being completed so just be mindful of that.”

The air around The Commons building has been filled with excitement because of the opening, said junior Cara Thornton.

“We’ve heard good things (about the new vendors) so far and we are very excited,” Thornton said. “Starbucks looks very modern. It’s been very popular and has been very crowded today.”

While the environment of Starbucks is warm, the layout of University Bookstore’s new location was the biggest surprise to Senior Bryan Massey.

“I didn’t expect it to be this big,” Massey said. “I feel like I’m in a Books-A-Million or a Barnes and Noble.”

Mitch Wade, owner of Frostbite, has been pleased with opening day.

“At this point (the opening has) been pretty smooth — I have no complaints,” Wade said. “We can’t take the Mane Card yet, (but) hopefully we will have that resolved either today or tomorrow (and) then we’ll be in good shape.”

On the upper floors, university staff are still settling into their new offices, said project manager Lee Handley.

“There’s been a little bit of furniture that hasn’t been completed, but I think that’s all,” Handley said. “We have a few changes we’re making to things in the offices to make things flow better. The offices are functional, it’s just some stuff (the employees) wanted to change for their comfort.”

Editor’s note: Look for the full story on The Commons opening in our next print issue of The Flor-Ala on Thursday, Feb. 27.