Plans in works for deli in Edens Quad

If plans for a new eating facility become a reality, residents of the Edens Quadrangle may soon no longer have to endure the walk up the hill to West Campus in order to find nourishment.

University officials are currently considering the feasibility of placing a deli in Edens Quad, although a specific location for the facility has not yet been determined, said Joe Pietrantoni, associate vice president for auxiliary services.

Edens residents initiated a discussion about the project last year, and students are currently showing a great deal of interest in the proposed plan. "I think everyone in Edens would want that definitely," said Trinity junior Derek Jerina. The long walk up to main West is very inconvenient for Edens residents, he said.

Trinity senior Allison Phillips said she feels that the deli also would ease the safety concerns of many female students living in Edens. "I think it sounds like a good idea," Phillips said. "There are a lot of women living down here and [the deli's presence] would mean that we wouldn't have to walk up to main campus at night."

Aside from providing a new convenience to Edens residents, some members of the Edens Quad Council say that they think the deli would enhance quad interaction, especially in the winter months of inclement weather. "Instead of everybody ordering food in their room, we could have a community gathering place when the weather's bad," said Trinity junior Liz Heller, president of Edens Quad.

Advocates for the deli said that they have a variety of ideas concerning how it should be operated. Heller said that work-study students may staff the facility, which probably would sell sandwiches, coffee and grocery items. The new deli would most likely be opened only at night, added Trinity senior Richard Boykin, a member of the Edens Quad Council.

While Boykin said that quad leaders have looked into the possibility of placing the deli adjacent to Camelot dormitory, formerly inhabited by Mirecourt, the Publications Board currently occupies the specific area. Pietrantoni said the group does not plan to move.

In deciding whether or not to open the deli, a prime concern will be the facility's financial viability. A similar facility, Arthur's, previously existed in the current Pub Board office, but was closed three and a half years ago because it failed to generate sufficient revenue, Pietrantoni said.