Three Mile Island Camp to Offer Floating Starbucks

April 1, 2023

In a first-of-its-kind agreement, Three Mile Island Camp and the Appalachian Mountain Club have announced that a Starbucks store will serve customers at the camp starting with the summer of 2023. The store will be unique, floating on the lake just off the camp’s main dock, with a drive-through available to customers arriving by boat. Starbucks New England Partnerships Director, Paul K. Martin, said “We are really excited about this opportunity. While there are Starbucks stores with water views, there are none located on the water. The ability to offer services to customers arriving by boat is something we believe will be a model we can use in other locations. It’s a win-win for everyone”

The store will be smaller than a typical location and will be anchored between the main island of the camp and the smaller, undeveloped Hawk’s Nest Island. Boat traffic will be directed to enter from the south and exit northward. The area is mostly protected from wind, making it an ideal location for such a pilot project. It will replace the swimming raft that had been located in the spot.

The 43-acres island camp is operated by a committee of 18 volunteers. Committee Chair Carl Gulovsen remarked on the project: “At first we had concerns about contact between swimmers and boats, but without the raft there is no reason for people to swim out into the channel [between islands] so we thought it was worth exploring. And the revenue will help us pay to update our boat fleet, which could really use the help. Our stand-up paddleboards are pretty beat up, and you should see the pedal boats—those things are embarrassing.” Long-time maintenance volunteer Larry Rogovin added, “I can’t speak to the practicality of having a bunch of boats passing through all summer, but from a construction standpoint, it is an interesting project. It’s totally doable.”

Initial reactions to the project have been mixed. Long time camper, Gwen Hall, was supportive. “The camp has really been lacking a good cup of coffee since I’ve been going there. I mean, it’s 2023. You can’t offer me an iced mocha ristretto latte with almond milk and two pumps of hazelnut syrup in the morning? Get with the times. I will happily paddle out in a canoe to get that.” But not everyone was pleased. Launa Schweizer, who drives several hours each year to spend a week at the camp, was concerned about how the camp might change. “All that boat traffic is bound to change the experience. And what about the trash? All those paper cups are bound to end up in the lake!”

Gulovsen addressed this latter concern. “Of course there will be a few people who are not responsible with their cups and napkins, but there are always campers who are eager to volunteer for the camp, and some will be willing to clean up litter. This is just one more way we can get people to volunteer and to connect to the place.”

A representative from the Appalachian Mountain Club was unavailable for comment at the time of publication. How much revenue the camp or the Club might receive was unclear. Construction on the floating store is scheduled to begin next week and to be completed by mid-June.