Released March 21, 2005

Long Beach- The University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Park campus has opened a new establishment called Southern Breeze Coffee House. The coffee house will provide a variety of food and drink items to students, faculty, staff and community members.

"We are extremely excited about the coffee house opening," said Ernie Wilson, assistant professor of tourism management at Southern Miss. "Southern Breeze is a place for comfort, conversation and coffee. We want people to stop by and take a break from their busy schedules to enjoy a peaceful moment and study. "

The coffee house features gourmet coffee, Island Oasis smoothies, soft drinks, brownies, cookies, pastries, bagels, Daylight Donuts and wireless Internet access.

Jennifer Flanagan, a Southern Miss student, thinks the opening of Southern Breeze is wonderful and a positive feature for the location. "It really shows the campus is growing, which is nice. I think it's going to be a good place for students to go and get snacks and beverages, but also have the opportunity to take a break from their schedules," Flanagan said. "It is also good it is going to be open until seven o'clock so night students can use it aso."

The hours of operation for Southern Breeze are 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. It is located in the southwest corner of the Long Beach campus facing Highway 90.

For more information on Southern Breeze Coffee House, please contact Ernie Wilson at (228) 214-3240.

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