Subway Opens in Student Center After Many Delays
CORRECTION TO THIS ARTICLE: The June 15 news article, “Subway Opens in Student Center After Many Delays,” misstated Anne W. Wilson’s title. She is the marketing specialist for Campus Dining, not for the Campus Activities Complex.
Subway opened in the Lobdell food court on Monday, June 11, after a construction period that “took a lot longer than we had hoped,” according to Richard D. Berlin III, director of Campus Dining. Subway will be open daily during the summer from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Construction for the new vendor site began in January 2007 and took longer than anticipated because “a lot of things [were] out of building code,” Berlin said. For instance, there were some unexpected plumbing and electrical inadequacies, so modest renovations had to take place, he said.
Subway passed its building and health inspections only about a week ago, Berlin said.
Subway owner Aynen Rajeh cited other reasons, saying that negotiating the contract with MIT took longer than expected. He also said that contractors could not work regularly because of the presence of people in the building.
Menu and prices remain consistent with any other Subway, Rajeh said.
Located in an alcove to the left of Café Spice, the Indian food vendor, the new Subway sits in the space once occupied by Burger King. Students chose Subway as their top preference for a fast food vendor in a survey conducted about a year ago.
In a fall 2006 Dining Survey, the smoothie chain Jamba Juice came out strong, but it is unlikely to open in the Student Center because of what the facilities can accommodate, according to Berlin. Dining Services is also planning to add a vendor serving Thai cuisine, another top choice from the fall 2006 survey, although nothing is finalized, Berlin said.
Berlin said that starting fall term, Subway will operate from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on a daily basis. Hours may be adjusted before then based on customer demand.
Rajeh said that a “true” opening with more “fanfare” will occur at the start of fall term.
Subway is working with Campus Activities Complex Marketing Specialist Anne W. Wilson to coordinate promotional offers on campus. These will include coupons and other promotions at the start of fall term, Wilson said.
Also, the Subway located on the corner of Beacon Street and Massachusetts Avenue in Boston will accept TechCASH starting in the fall, Rajeh said.