Students at Angeline Academy of Innovation in Land O' Lakes opened a working cafe inside their school Sept. 8, selling more than 80 drinks in the first week.

Sweets at Angeline, located in the school's common area, serves boba teas, iced teas, coffee and snacks to students and faculty. Angeline is the first school in Florida to use a Botrista automated beverage system, according to Tampa Bay Beacons, which first reported the opening.

Students run every part of the cafe

The cafe operates as a real small business through the school's business entrepreneurship class, with students filling roles from manager to server. They keep accounting books, order supplies and market the cafe on social media.

"They were determined to get this (cafe) open this year," said Chad Mallo, the school's lead business and entrepreneurship teacher. Mallo, a former banking professional and 2025 Bay News 9 A+ Teacher honoree, also runs a paid internship program with Achieva Credit Union for Angeline students.

How a student project became a business

The idea started three years ago with student Rylee Kincaid, who built her entrepreneurship competition project around opening the cafe. In the first year, Kincaid developed the concept, designed the logo and signage, and created the brand identity. Principal JoAnne Glenn connected her with Stephanie Spicknall, Pasco County Schools' director of food and nutrition services, for guidance on food service operations.

In the second year, Kincaid hired the cafe's first employee, Kennady Sabo. The two managers reworked business plans and focused on food safety requirements. By the third year, both students and Mallo earned ServSafe Manager certifications, and the cafe was structured to operate separately from the school cafeteria.

Pasco County Schools district leaders then introduced the students to the Botrista system. Five more student employees were hired. But setbacks kept the cafe from opening during the previous school year.

Summer training leads to opening day

Over the summer before the 2026-27 school year, all five new employees earned ServSafe certifications and completed Botrista training. The district's Food and Nutrition Services staff worked alongside them.

Angeline Academy, a grades 6-12 STEM school with 1,088 students, earned A grades from the Florida Department of Education in its first two years.

On opening day, student employees served drinks in hairnets and plastic gloves. Mallo said students are now reviewing sales trends, tracking revenue and expenses, and analyzing customer preferences using actual business data.