By KLINT SPILLER

kspiller@dailynews.net

Employees at Starbucks received a trial by fire on their first day Friday.

The store, located inside the Fort Hays State University Memorial Union, had its grand opening at 7 a.m., and lines packed the store all day.

The line dwindled to only 15 people near 1 p.m., but just as employees at Starbucks were about to get some relief from the rush, classes let out and the line stretched out into the hall once again.

"We had people here from probably 10 minutes to 7 waiting out front for us to open the cage in anticipation for the grand opening," said Jay Johnson, Chartwell's executive chef at FHSU.

"It was inspiring to see so many people come and visit and check out the new space," said Adam McMiller, Chartwell's campus food service director. "It was really exciting. There was a lot of buzz around campus prior to, and it is nice to see that it wasn't just buzz."

McMiller said construction delays forced the store to open later than preferred.

The space was remodeled to fit the needs of Starbucks, and a seating area was added. The Grab 'N Go was made smaller, and its entrance was moved to face the cash register of Starbucks.

McMiller said Chartwell's funded the remodeling, but Starbucks provided the initial redesign plans with feedback from Chartwell's and FHSU.

In the past, the Grab 'N Go had Starbucks' coffee, but the selection was limited.

"Our thought process was that we wanted to expand the Grab 'N Go concept," McMiller said.

Alicia Basgall, a graduate student, faced a 20- to 30-minute wait for her coffee, but she said it was worth it.

"I love Starbucks, and I am super excited that there is one in the union and in Hays," Basgall said. "It is here, and you don't have to go to a big city to get it."

Freshman Michelle Burrola, who purchased a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino, said she never had Starbucks coffee before Friday.

"I really don't like coffee normally, but I wanted to try it out," Burrola said. "I really like it."