By
Benjamin Kim
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Dining services, bookstore not experiencing major declines
Despite heavy construction in front of the Memorial Student Union, the UofA Bookstore and the union's food services are not experiencing significant financial losses.
In some cases, business has actually increased.
The construction and fences around the bookstore and the entrance
to the union have not had an impact on restaurants and food outlets,
said David Galbraith, director of dining services for the student union - in fact, Galbraith added, business has increased five percent.
"This is the most unusual circumstance, because, traditionally, we expect
to see significant decreases (in business)," he said. "It's amazing."
Galbraith said that when he was the assistant director for dining services at the University of Washington, the student union experienced a similar renovation situation - and business declined about 25 percent.
Although he did not have an explanation for the unexpected numbers at the UA, Galbraith said that keeping prices low could be a main factor.
"But the bottom line is that all the (restaurants) are doing great," he
said.
Dining services probably will not experience a decline in business until
the food outlets move into the newer section of the union, once it is
completed, Galbraith said.
He expects this decline because the new dining areas will have tighter spaces and less seating.
Textbook sales at the bookstore have not experienced any declines,
said Frank Farias, director for ASUA Bookstores.
"Our students have stayed with us with regards to textbooks," Farias
said.
However, sale of other items such as clothing and school supplies have
experienced "slight" declines, he said.
"There is definitely an impact in convenient items because of the
disturbances (from construction)," Farias said.
Farias said that some of the declines in those areas are from decreased
sales to faculty and staff, who make up 15 to 20 percent of the
bookstore's non-textbook customers.
Sales of non-textbook items help keep textbook prices down, he said.
Students also said that the construction near the union has been a hindrance in accessing businesses and services, but that hasn't been enough to completely drive them away.
"I think construction affects the usefulness of the union itself - it's
not as accessible and more difficult," said Drew Grubich, a theater arts
sophomore.
Grubich said that he still eats at the union and uses the UofA Bookstore, though, because of their central location on campus.
Jeff Haro, a business sophomore, agreed.
"It's more of a hassle to come here," he said
Haro said he eats much more at off-campus restaurants now but still goes to the UofA Bookstore because of its convenient location and ties to the university.
