A line of people snaked out of The Motley Coffeehouse on Sept. 18, where students dressed in bright colors, fishnet gloves and striped clothing waited for specialty drinks, dancing to the beat of early-2000s music. Colored beams of light shone through the coffeehouse onto the “MOPEN15” sign.
The usually cozy, livingroom-style space was transformed by streamers of thongs hung above doorways, and people danced and jumped to the beat on the stage, alongside the DJ.
Many students got creative with their outfits. Some wore bright star clips in their hair and bold apparel inspired by Maya and Anna, including low-rise pants, striped clothing and visible undergarments.
Motley barista Madeline Park SC ’29 embodied the 2000s style in low-rise jeans, a zip up sweater, bright-colored anime apparel and a fluffy rainbow Pusheen backpack with a baseball hat and braids.
“I have a highlighter fit going,” Park said. “It’s everything I’ve ever wanted to be. I’m fulfilling my middle school girl dream. I love it. A whole anime fan.”
Every semester, The Motley staff plan a themed opening party. Prior themes have included “shipwreck,” a “shotgun wedding” and The Matrix. This semester, the theme was “Back 2 Skool,” inspired by the Hulu show “PEN15.” The event provided a space for students to celebrate The Motley’s opening, marking the true beginning of the school year.
On Sept. 15, The Motley announced the event and theme on their instagram with a list of “PEN15” inspired drinks. The names lived up to the theme, including “Creamy Pen15-ade,” a Brazilian limeade that included coconut milk and lemonade. The “Flymiamibro’s Juul” was a Miami mint mango Italian soda, and “Babyspice666” was a ginger cardamom latte. Taking a stab at humorous puns, The Motley also served a “Blood Maya” which was cherry cranberry soda akin to a Shirley Temple.
The hit Hulu show that inspired the theme follows two actors, Maya Erskine and Anna Kronkle, playing their teenage selves in 2000. Following them through their coming-of-age journeys, main characters Maya and Anna attempt to fit in as they traverse the junior high school social scene. The Motley’s themed decorations were a nod to key moments in the show: the streamers of thongs was a reference to an episode when they start wearing thongs, and one of the specialty drinks was inspired by the episode where they try a cigarette for the first time.
Midway through the event, a fire alarm was triggered. Despite the blaring alarm, the piercing sound had no apparent effect on student attendees, who continued to dance along to the beat of the music.
For first-year students, the event offered a way to establish what The Motley is and its significance at the 5Cs.
“I knew what The Motley was coming to Pitzer [College] and it’s amazing to see what the environment is like,” Hadia Ali PZ ’30 said.
Similarly to Ali, many first-years had heard murmurings from returning students about The Motley and their drinks. This event allowed new students to scope out a coffee and hangout spot for the rest of the semester.
“I will definitely be coming here before and after classes since I have a Scripps class,” Randy Garcia PZ ’30 said. “I have heard great things about [The Motley] from my Orientation Adventure leaders.”
Though some didn’t quite grasp the theme and wore everyday clothing, there was plenty of room to enjoy the party and beverages. Alex Berlind PZ ’29 found the theme “hard to match.”
“A lot of people have been creative,” Berlind said. “This is one of the best ways you could advertise something like [The Motley]. Just throwing a party that people can show up to.”
This semester’s opening is the first since the Scripps administration appointed Stacey Miller as administrative advisor to the historically student-run cafe. The Motley staff has continued to host events amidst their discussions with administrators.
Motley employees brought positive energy to the opening event. While serving students the delicious themed drinks, they cracked jokes with each other and danced in elaborate middle-school-themed outfits.
From the streamer of thongs to the dancing students, The Motley opening more than met expectations and certainly brought the eclectic, irreplaceable vibes of a middle school dance to the 5Cs.
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