The Daily Iowan WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2023
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THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA COMMUNITY SINCE 1868
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SERVING COFFEE IN A COLLECTIVE IC workers say several concerns have been addressed since unionizing.
UI students voice concerns about campus diversity Some University of Iowa students say a predominantly white campus leads their peers of color to struggle when finding a community. AMPLIFY | 5A
Carrying on a legacy Iowa cross country senior Kelli Tosic is proud to follow in the footsteps of her mother, a former Hawkeye. SPORTS | 1B Cody Blissett | The Daily Iowan
Abi Scheppmann makes a drink at Starbucks in Iowa City on Sept. 6. The Clinton Street Starbucks was the first to unionize in Iowa. Natalie Dunlap Assistant Digital Editor
natalie-dunlap@uiowa.edu
A new wave of sustainability in Iowa City Retailers share their goals of making a global impact while moving away from fast fashion. 80 HOURS | 1C
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Young workers in Iowa City successfully voted to unionize, putting Iowa on the map in the nationwide movement of collective organizing across Starbucks locations. The Clinton Street Starbucks near the University of Iowa campus became the first Starbucks to unionize in Iowa, and workers say conditions have already improved as a result. Workers voted 25-0 in favor of unionizing this May because of issues with management. It was the largest unanimous union vote across Starbucks locations nationally. Starbucks shift supervisor Abi Scheppmann said she had never been able to address problems
“But it’s really cool being able to have a collective voice and see, especially some of the younger baristas, experience standing up for themselves, knowing that they’ll go farther in life knowing that they can have a voice.” Abi Scheppmann
Starbucks shift supervisor with management in retail jobs before until she became part of a union. “Usually you just kind of just have to shut up and take it,” she said. “But it’s really cool being able to have a collective voice and see, especially some of the younger baristas, experience standing up for themselves, knowing that they’ll go farther
Owner Hart Epstein pulls inspiration from regional flavors and his late father’s 1970s bookstore.
isabelle-foland@uiowa.edu
A total of seven candidates put in their bids for the ballot of the upcoming Iowa City City Council election on Nov. 7. Of the seven candidates, three are running for two open at-large seats, three are running for the District A seat, and one is running for the District C seat. Because there are more than two candidates running for the District A seat, a primary will take place on Oct. 10 to narrow down the list. Only voters who live within District A will be able to vote in the primary. District A is made up of most of the South District and the west side of the city. All registered voters in Iowa City are allowed to vote in the Nov. 7 general election. Below is a list of the seven candidates and their campaign issues.
reporting on the Iowa Faith and Freedom Presidential Townhall on Sept. 16 at dailyiowan.com.
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online coverage of the Stone City Fesitval in Anamosa, Iowa, on Sept. 17 at dailyiowan.com.
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A total of seven individuals filed for candidacy in the upcoming city council election. Isabelle Foland News Reporter
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Hawkeyes against Western Michigan on Sept. 16 at dailyiowan.com.
STARBUCKS | 2A
Harry’s Bar and Grill Bids placed for IC brings retro spin to IC City Council seats
exclusive Q&A and coverage of TikToker and podcaster Brittany Broski’s lecture at the University of Iowa on Sept. 14 at dailyiowan.com.
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in life knowing that they can have a voice.” Employees at the Clinton Street Starbucks say it was easy to build consensus because of their shared experiences working chaotic shifts. “You really rely on each other [in] day-to-day
At-large candidates Tyler Downey | The Daily Iowan
Hart Epstein, owner of Harry’s Bar and Grill, poses for a portrait in downtown Iowa City on Sept. 6. Sydney Becker News Reporter
sydney-becker@uiowa.edu
Iowa City’s newest dining experience, Harry’s Bar & Grill, brings a unique perspective to the old-school diner vibe and an all-day breakfast menu with East Coast inspiration. Owner Hart Epstein opened the restaurant with a desire to come back into the industry after the pandemic forced him out a few years earlier. Epstein previously owned Bluebird Diner with a business partner. With the release of Bluebird ownership in 2020, Epstein moved to house painting until he was ready to reenter the restaurant industry. “I wasn’t really done,” he said. “I felt like I had more to say, more to do. I just really missed it. The restaurant culture is unlike anything else.” He said his excitement for opening Harry’s stemmed from the idea that he wouldn’t have to compromise his vision or his recipes. “It gets to be exactly what I want it to be,” he said. “I don’t have to run it by anybody.”
The menu Epstein regularly created comfort foods with a Southwestern-style taste during his time at Bluebird Diner. With Harry’s, he wanted to give Iowa City something new. Taking inspiration from the East Coast’s classic sandwiches, he created a menu filled with flavors and ingredients uncommon to Iowa. “There are some of my own sorts of spins on these items,” he said. “Even though we say we have traditional Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, there’s still a little bit of an Epstein stamp on it.” The menu includes items like “sammiches,” including a fried chicken “sammich.” Harry’s also offers nine different omelets, many baked goods, specialty burgers, and other iconic breakfast dishes. The use of Hatch chiles is one such spin on the inspired items. Also known as New Mexico chiles, the pepper is only grown in a small region in southern New Mexico. Epstein had 200 pounds of the pepper delivered with hopes of making
HARRY’S | 3A
Josh Moe Josh Moe is a local architect and volunteer. On his website, he stated he plans to use his professional experience as well as lived experiences to further Iowa City’s development and equity goals. Moe said some of his main goals if elected are to make public spaces more inclusive, reach the city’s climate action goals, encourage wise investments in public infrastructure, create more jobs, and improve the city’s public transportation. Mandi Remington According to her website, Mandi Remington has lived in Iowa City for over two decades. During this time, she has worked for the city as well as the University of Iowa in various capacities, including the Iowa City Community Police Review Board and the UI Safety and Security Committee. Remington’s campaign focuses on the issues of improving public access to food, transportation, shelter and affordable housing, making the city more handicap accessible, and increasing collaboration between the city and community organizations and nonprofits. Mazahir Salih Mazahir Salih served on the Iowa City City Council from 2018-21, with a term as Mayor Pro Tem from 2020-21. Salih has also been involved in various other organizations in Iowa City, including executive director and co-founder of the Center for Worker Justice.
CITY COUNCIL | 3A