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photo by Lin Matt Dyksterhouse and Brad Fisher are co-founders/managers of the increasingly popular Fish House.

Last semester the Fish House brought in $650 a week in gross profit. This semester, it has jumped to $1200 a week. However, the small business will probably not make a profit at all this year, because of expenses incurred before the opening. The founders/managers Brad Fisher and Matt Dyksterhouse hope to break even in the non-profit organization.

The Fish House was created this fall for the students of Calvin by seniors Brad Fisher and Matt Dyksterhouse. Their vision was to create a place where students are able to hang out and possibly

do homework on campus. Students have discovered that the Fish House is a great

place to study. With open house rules limiting the time that they can spend together in the dorms, students have also found the Fish House to be a great alternative during the week. Heather Immanuel, a freshman, likes to study at the Fish House. “It is a nice, casual environment to do your homework, relax, and drink coffee,” she stated.

In fact, the Fish House usually has long line for coffee on the weeknights. Students, both on and off campus, come there to enjoy the coffee and the atmosphere. Another advantage is that the Fish House is open later than the library. There are tentative plans to extend the hours next semester till 2:00 a.m. instead of 1:00 a.m.

Not only is it a great place for homework , but the environment is also good for discussions that characterize the college experience. Both founders had this in mind when they came up with the inspiration for an on-campus coffee shop.

Fisher and Dyksterhouse, whose combined names form “Fish House,” say that one of the biggest challenges was changing the area, traditionally known as the “Cave,” into the “Fish House”. They didn’t want it to be “the cave with a coffee cart;” they wanted to make something new. “There is student artwork on the walls and student muscians that play here,” stated Fisher.

The student musicians who come to the Fish House both on weekend nights and on Wednesday night attract crowds to the Fish House. Most of the groups come from Calvin, and are looking for an opportunity to perform. The Fish House is ideal for this. Also, the Fish House gives out free coffee (if you provide a mug) during Cave Café, on Wednesday nights.

Freshman Eric Venema, enjoys going to the Fish House on weeknights. “You get to see a lot of people and most of the time the music is cool,” he said.

Both Fisher and Dyksterhouse say it’s a thrill to hear students mention the Fish House in passing conversations on campus. Fisher said that it makes him proud to have done something so positive for the students at Calvin.

Fisher and Dyksterhouse agree that the business can be stressful at times. The Fish House is an additional commitment along with their other jobs and homework. However, as seniors, they will have to pass the torch on to other student managers. They don’t know yet who will be running the Fish House next year, but have a few people in mind.

Al who work at the Fish House are Calvin students. Dyksterhouse and Fisher stated that a secret to their success is to keep good workers who love what they do. From its beginning, the Fish House prided itself in remaining “By the students, for the students,” and it is planning on staying that way.