If you are looking for a cozy location to study, consider checking out the newest addition to University Boulevard. HeeMee Coffee + Bakery is a cafe serving pastries, matcha and gelato. 

HeeMee features a menu that crosses cultures, ranging from bulgogi sandwiches and yaki udon bowls, pastries like kanufa and red bean donuts, to matcha and dubai chocolate lattes. 

The new storefront is a sister location to the original cafe on Congress Street, which opened in 2019. HeeMee is a family business. Nancy Elnady, the daughter of HeeMee’s owners, works as the manager of the new location. 

“It’s been way busier than we expected, which is nice,” Elnady said. “We had to hire more employees than we originally did just to make sure the service is fast enough for the students.”

Since the grand opening on Sept. 12, HeeMee has proven popular. On Sunday, Sept. 29, just 3 weeks after opening, 51 customers filled the interior. The line stretched from the register to the front door. 

According to Christian Blue, a graduate student at the University of Arizona School of Dance, he was drawn to HeeMee through word of mouth while looking for a cute coffee shop to study at. Blue was joined by his friend Pierce Pennington, a fellow graduate student, who had recommended the cafe. 

“They’re really accommodating to my food allergies,” Pennington said. “I’m allergic to a lot of things, so they make sure to change their gloves […] so I can actually eat their food, which is nice […]. Their matcha, it’s the best matcha I’ve had around here.”

Elnady herself attends the UA and understands what students expect when looking for a restaurant by campus. 

“We know that students want good quality food and coffee and that’s exactly what we have,” Elnady said. 

HeeMee Coffee + Bakery is located at 800 E. University Blvd. and is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and is closed on Mondays.

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