Although work on the Ernie Davis Hall convenience store is yet to be completed, the store officially opened to customers March 22.

The store, called Food Works II, is open and operational but still needs a few additions, such as signs, said David George, director of Syracuse University Food Services. Food Works II is an offshoot of Watson Hall’s Food Works and is meant to be an additional but smaller option for students to access food, he said.

The store opened after spring break, as was originally planned, George said. The store’s opening was not at the same time as the rest of the complex, but financing was not an issue, he said.

The store offers a variety of small food and beverage items and is similar in nature to other on-campus stores, including Food Works and South Campus Express, George said. Food Services is in the process of obtaining feedback and suggestions about the preferred hours and food in stock, he said. The hours are currently set from 9 a.m to 10 p.m. daily.

The store is only one block away from the original Food Works in Watson, but the close proximity is not expected to decrease business at either location, George said.

“We don’t expect there to be any particular effect on Food Works because (Food Works) II is now open,” George said. “As in the past, we expect (Food Works II) to be an additional option for students.”

Food Works II was previously located in DellPlain Hall but closed in December 2009 so it could be relocated to Ernie Davis. The new location is expected to better accommodate students, George said.

“The Ernie Davis location is better for customers, as it is adjacent to the fitness center and more accessible to the student population than the DellPlain location was,” George said.

Despite the store’s incompletion, the student response has already been positive.

“I think it’s pretty convenient, especially right when I’m done with the gym or before I eat or something,” said Katie Jankoski, an undeclared freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Christopher Ettis, a freshman mathematics major, said he foresees increased popularity over time.

“I haven’t seen a ton of people in it yet,” he said, “but I think it’ll probably get more popular as people realize how convenient it is.”

 

Published on March 30, 2010 at 12:00 pm