Slow business at Pond Street could lead to its closure
Brittany Adams
With the opening of Brown-Lupton University Union and the introduction of Frog Bucks, Pond Street Grill's business could be slow enough to merit its closure, a dining employee said.
Ernest White, supervisor at Pond Street Grill, said he is not sure what the future of Pond Street will be.
"I don't know," White said, "I really don't know. That's out of my hands.
"It's up to the school on what they want to do. I'd really hate to see it go. It's a good place."
Legia Abato, district marketing manager for Dining Services, said Pond Street Grill has slow traffic because of the new student union and new variety of meal options.
"Pond Street has gotten a hard hit," Abato said. "We are trying to figure out what to do with Pond Street."
It's not the only on-campus dining option to experience a drop in business. The Corner Store and Sub Connection have also been affected.
At Sub Connection, Frank Horak, food service manager, said the slow traffic problems are hard to gauge. He said because of the new Frog Bucks system, students prefer to save their Frog Bucks for off-campus eateries.
"We want to keep them here and provide good service, but they can use them at other places, which gives them flexibility, but it doesn't help us," Horak said.
Lieu Nguyen, a cashier at the Corner Store said students miss the convenience of the location of the previous convenience store, Frog Bytes.
"They would rather go somewhere on University," she said. "It's too far to come from class."
The new meal plans for dorm residents range from $1,799 to $2,099 with unlimited access to Market Square. Frog Bucks is additional money that offers both on-campus and off-campus dining to students.
Sophomore political science major Cara Smith said she enjoys going to the BLUU.
"I come here quite a bit because I have breaks during the day, but most of my friends do not have breaks so it is not convenient for them." Smith said.
If a student does not have Frog Bucks, credit cards can be used at all locations on campus, Horak said.
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