Cafe,
bistro result of Memorial Union construction
by
Kimberly Cross, posted Sept. 12, 2007
When
you walk into Memorial Union North, look around and be prepared
for some changes. Renovation and construction, which started
this summer, is changing the layout of the café area
and creating space for a new dining facility.
Andrew Lough,
marketing manager for MU Campus Dining Services, said the
renovation plans have been talked about since 2006. Work got
underway last spring and Campus Facilities and the Missouri
Student Unions have worked hard to make sure everything goes
according to plan.
“We’re
very excited about this project,” Lough said. “We
think that the students will be pleased with the end result.”
The renovations
included expanding the seating area and enclosing a Starbucks
café in its own alcove. Many students and café
employees who love coffee will enjoy having the Starbucks
open on campus.
“The work
at Starbucks is very easy-going with a great work atmosphere,”
said Jeremy Grove, a senior linguistics major and Starbucks
employee. “I used to hate Starbucks, but now I drink
it all the time. It’s really great quality coffee.”
While the Starbucks
was completed and ready for business at the beginning of the
semester, the other addition to the union, Wheatstone Bistro,
was behind schedule. Wheatstone Bistro will serve gourmet
deli sandwiches, salads and sides. The bistro was expected
to have its opening at the same time as the Starbucks, but
due to equipment and supply delays the shop was not completed.
“We knew
the end of construction would be later than Starbucks and
planned for setbacks,” Lough said. “Renovation
delays were expected; we even closed down that area of Memorial
Union early last spring to give as much time as possible to
the construction. We were optimistic and hoped that both places
would open at the same time, but delays happen.”
While some students
have accepted the ongoing construction, others hoped that
everything would be ready as promised at the start of the
semester.
“I come to
Memorial Union a couple of times a week,” said Laura
McComas, a second year public affairs graduate student. “It’s
a little annoying that everything’s not finished yet.
I’m disappointed that they didn’t use the summer
to complete the work.”
Training for employees
is underway at the bistro as the construction is completed.
A soft opening was expected for Sept. 4, 2007. Wheatstone
Bistro will be operating under limited hours until the grand
opening, which is scheduled for mid-September.
