The menu at the Sanford Deli may be largely the same, but the hands behind the counter have changed.
The Alpine Bagel Company assumed control of the Sanford Deli over the summer after the University decided not to renew their contract with former managers Chris and Denise MacMahon. Jim Wulforst, director of dining services, said that Sanford Institute of Public Policy officials had not been entirely happy with the deli and their concerns helped facilitate the change.
"Sales were off 20 percent last year," Wulforst said. "The numbers speak for themselves. There was a decrease in transactions, and you can't make mistakes at a customer's expense."
The MacMahons said they did not know exactly why their contract was not renewed. Denise MacMahon said that she was "very disappointed in the decision of dining services."
"We weren't party to any decision-making process that was involved," she added.
However, they speculated that University administrators may have been looking for a larger business. "We're just a mom and pop organization," Chris MacMahon said. "We'll miss the Duke student interaction."
His wife said she was heartbroken over the University's decision. "We put our hearts into that establishment," Denise MacMahon said. "We certainly enjoyed the five years we spent operating the deli. The students were very supportive."
The Sanford Deli had indeed been popular among students, voted best campus eatery by Duke University Student Dining Advisory Committee surveys twice in its five-year existence.
A year ago, the MacMahons had plans to expand and renovate the deli, but received little support from the administration. "Duke alluded to the fact that due to the size of our operation, they could never recap the cost of the renovation," Chris MacMahon said. "Once it gets political like that, its pretty much a done deal."
He added that he planned to continue offer catering for special events. "We're not leaving bitter. We gave everything we had for five years. We gained an immeasurable amount of business experience. Every way around, it worked out the best for everybody," he said.
"Inevitably, change is always good once the emotions are put aside." Lorna Simmons, general manager and director of operations for Alpine at Duke, is optimistic about the new location. She explained that at Sanford it will be necessary to "think outside the bagel," and that providing quick response to student and faculty feedback will be a must.
Duke has approved renovations under the new management, with plans to expand the size and capacity of the deli. The adjoining room with soda and snack machines will likely be taken over. Other changes include weekly specials to accompany a relatively simple menu featuring signature sandwich names.
Upon opening the restaurant this fall, Simmons learned the building was not a political science center and thus "Filibuster" and "Senator" sandwiches did not fit in with the public policy theme. She plans to change the menu board soon with sandwich names such as "Environmentalist."
Students expressed optimism about the new management. "The old Sanford proved that students are willing to go off [Main] West to get a sandwich. If you put a good product out there, people are going to come," said Chris Chin, a sophomore and a member of DUSDAC last year and this past summer.
Kwadwo Acheampong, a sophomore, felt that the food at the old Sanford was good but was left wanting more and hoped the new management would satiate his need.
"I liked the wraps, but there should have been more food in them," Acheampong said. "As long as they offer more food and a better price, I'm happy."
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