KINGSTON — The connections being forged between Kingston High School and the Kingston community have become more tangible since the school opened nearly a month ago. Many local businesses are starting to see and feel the difference an extra 870 students — some of whom leave campus during lunch period to run errands or grab a bite to eat — can make.

“I can say we probably adjusted our hours, we’re opening a little bit earlier now at 5:30 (a.m.) for teenagers to get in,” said Cuppa Bella owner Mark Scholl. He said the earlier hours were mainly created for KHS faculty who need to be at campus bright and early, but students have been making use of the caffeine opportunity as well. “The first signs of change are good at lunch and after school.”

Mr. B’s Bookery employee Niki Copus said she didn’t notice too many new faces at first, but all at once students were arriving in droves to find books and required reading during the midday break and after school.

“They were suddenly coming in looking for different things,” she said. “It’s really neat to see them in here. I think they were just looking for books on their lunch break.”

Books may become another strong link between the new school and the community as the Kingston Library starts looking for opportunities to work with KHS librarians. Kingston Branch Manager Susan Thorsteinson said she hasn’t noticed a large influx of students using the library, but many returning children and teenagers have been visiting the library for a long time.

“They blend together to me, a lot of them are students we’ve had and are still coming here,” she said. “We see a lot of kids over time, and we are still getting teens and kids. I would think this would be a good partnership.”

The public library may have books the school doesn’t, and vice versa, and both can interact together via programs and projects. Some of this has already been occurring between Kingston Middle School and the elementary schools and the library, Thorsteinson said. She also said the librarians were looking at taking a tour of the new school library to get an idea of what it will offer students.

Garden Cafe and Juice Bar owner Jennifer Salazar, however, said she hasn’t noticed students making their way to her downtown restaurant, but she has been thinking of ways to encourage lunchtime visits. She said she has been toying with the idea of a student discount tied with their ASB cards, but is uncertain what will work best for both her business and the students yet.

“I know I could do something with the student and faculty ID cards, I just have to think of what,” she said. “I know I haven’t seen a lot of students down here, but my prices are a little higher because we use all organic produce. I’m working on something for them though.”

Scholl said he has plans in the works for expanding Cuppa Bella, moving his frame shop and installing more seating in that area. The change during the morning, lunch and after school has encouraged the idea further, and he said that project may begin soon.