Union gets a new addition
Josh Jefferson
Issue date: 6/24/09 Section: News
On June 16th, Pause Deli, the University Union's newest restaurant was officially opened for business.
For now, Pause Deli, which will be similar to the Panera Bread franchise, will only be open when there is an orientation program running. During that time the hours of operation will be from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 or 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon.
Current plans for the upcoming fall semester are to open and close according to the hours Starbucks previously held. However, depending on customer demand, Pause Deli may remain open later than its planned closing time of 3:30 p.m.
The change came in time for the first Summer Orientation and Registration (SOAR) Group, which was the target date. The new deli will replace the Starbucks in the University Union.
"We needed to get Starbucks moved over and up and running before the orientation programs for the summer," said Al Harris, Associate Vice President for Student Services.
"What the move does is, allows us the opportunity to put sandwiches in," Harris said. "(Which was) a request from a number of student surveys done a couple of years ago and to offer a bagel type of sandwich, which isn't offered anywhere else on campus."
The reason behind the change from the Mexican restaurant Mi Amigos to Pause Deli was all business.
"The volume there was not what we needed to keep it operational," Harris said. "It was not worth the investment as far as the equipment or keeping it open for the hours quite frankly. It was busy at the most for maybe like a half hour."
The move was also designed to give the Union a unique dining experience that was not present in the residence halls, or any of the other coffee shops on campus.
"So far, through the orientations, we've received very, very positive reviews and they like the idea of coffee and sandwiches all in one spot," Harris said. "It also allows efficiencies to cut back down to three revenue generating operations."
The space previously inhabited by Starbucks will likely be taken over by the U-Tech store. This shift will not take place until the fall, as summer is the physical plant's busiest season. As for the former U-Tech space there have been numerous suggestions as to what could be placed there, including an ice cream shop, a barbershop and even tanning beds.
The lab that currently is near Burger King will be moved to the concourse area in order to reduce congestion.
For now, Pause Deli, which will be similar to the Panera Bread franchise, will only be open when there is an orientation program running. During that time the hours of operation will be from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 or 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon.
Current plans for the upcoming fall semester are to open and close according to the hours Starbucks previously held. However, depending on customer demand, Pause Deli may remain open later than its planned closing time of 3:30 p.m.
The change came in time for the first Summer Orientation and Registration (SOAR) Group, which was the target date. The new deli will replace the Starbucks in the University Union.
"We needed to get Starbucks moved over and up and running before the orientation programs for the summer," said Al Harris, Associate Vice President for Student Services.
"What the move does is, allows us the opportunity to put sandwiches in," Harris said. "(Which was) a request from a number of student surveys done a couple of years ago and to offer a bagel type of sandwich, which isn't offered anywhere else on campus."
The reason behind the change from the Mexican restaurant Mi Amigos to Pause Deli was all business.
"The volume there was not what we needed to keep it operational," Harris said. "It was not worth the investment as far as the equipment or keeping it open for the hours quite frankly. It was busy at the most for maybe like a half hour."
The move was also designed to give the Union a unique dining experience that was not present in the residence halls, or any of the other coffee shops on campus.
"So far, through the orientations, we've received very, very positive reviews and they like the idea of coffee and sandwiches all in one spot," Harris said. "It also allows efficiencies to cut back down to three revenue generating operations."
The space previously inhabited by Starbucks will likely be taken over by the U-Tech store. This shift will not take place until the fall, as summer is the physical plant's busiest season. As for the former U-Tech space there have been numerous suggestions as to what could be placed there, including an ice cream shop, a barbershop and even tanning beds.
The lab that currently is near Burger King will be moved to the concourse area in order to reduce congestion.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
70-649
posted 7/11/09 @ 6:02 AM CST
Its a big new for students that "the University Union's newest restaurant was officially opened for business"
642-825
posted 7/11/09 @ 6:04 AM CST
It was done to give Union a unique dining experience that was not present in the residence halls.
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