How Nankai Alumni Crowdfunded 8 Dorm Coffee Shop

In late 2023, a group of former students found a powerful way to reconnect—with each other and with their university roots. Not through reunions or online forums alone, but by co-creating a physical space in Shanghai that embodies the spirit of their college years. The result? An independent coffee shop built not on venture capital, but on collective memory and shared investment.

Nearly 200 alumni from around the world came together to crowdfund 8 Dorm Coffee in Shanghai, launched under the initiative of Nanjing University Shanghai Alumni Association President Zhao Pu. The project reflects a deep emotional bond with the university’s legacy, particularly the famed female dormitory that gave the café its name.

What Is 8 Dorm Coffee?

8 Dorm Coffee is a specialty coffee shop in Shanghai named after Building 8, the largest female dormitory at Nanjing University’s old Gulou campus. Known among alumni as the "Building of Three Thousand Beauties," it holds a special place in the hearts of those who lived there or admired it from afar. The café serves as both a business venture and a symbolic reunion space for the Nanjing University community.

Why Did Alumni Launch This Project?

The idea for 8 Dorm Coffee came from Zhao Pu, current president of the Nanjing University Shanghai Alumni Association. He recognized the strong emotional connection many alumni—estimated at around 150,000 out of the university’s 300,000 total—have with Building 8. That nostalgia wasn’t just about architecture; it was tied to formative experiences, friendships, and youthful aspirations. In response, Zhao Pu initiated a global crowdfunding campaign that drew nearly 200 participants.

The Role of Campus Nostalgia

For many alumni, Building 8 represented more than just housing—it was central to the social and romantic life of the university in the 1980s and 1990s. Male students often admired it from afar, referring to it playfully as the "Building of Three Thousand Beauties." Some even joked about one day living in the taller commercial buildings across the street just to watch the women they admired. These shared memories created a powerful sense of community that the founders wanted to revive. The café also features live performances by campus singers—some still students, others long graduated—who were once local icons.

How the Crowdfunding Worked

Zhao Pu’s call to action reached alumni across the globe, resulting in nearly 200 contributors who helped finance the establishment of 8 Dorm Coffee. Beyond financial backing, the project has fostered a renewed sense of connection. To maintain that bond, the café began hosting weekly live-streamed events every Saturday at 8 p.m. starting in October, allowing remote alumni to watch the café’s happenings in real time via online meetings. This blend of physical space and digital continuity helps bridge the gap between past and present.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 8 Dorm Coffee?

8 Dorm Coffee is a Shanghai-based coffee shop named after Building 8, the former female dormitory at Nanjing University’s Gulou campus. It was funded by nearly 200 alumni and serves as both a café and a nostalgic gathering spot.

Who founded 8 Dorm Coffee?

The project was initiated by Zhao Pu, president of the Nanjing University Shanghai Alumni Association. He led a global crowdfunding effort that involved almost 200 alumni from around the world.

How many alumni contributed to the crowdfunding?

Nearly 200 alumni participated in the crowdfunding campaign to establish 8 Dorm Coffee, reflecting widespread interest in preserving their shared university memories.

Why is the café called 8 Dorm?

The café takes its name from Building 8, a well-known female dormitory at Nanjing University’s old Gulou campus, which alumni fondly referred to as the "Building of Three Thousand Beauties."

What special events does the café host?

Since October, 8 Dorm Coffee has offered weekly live-streamed events every Saturday at 8 p.m., allowing alumni worldwide to watch the café’s activities in real time. The venue also hosts performances by beloved campus singers.

How does 8 Dorm Coffee maintain alumni connections?

Beyond the physical café, weekly online broadcasts and live performances help maintain a sense of community among alumni, some of whom live far from Shanghai.

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