After the closure of four of the five retailers at Donaghey Hall, UCA has charted a new future for the first floor of the building.
“The vacant space is being redesigned to better serve our students,” Vice President for Finance Diane Newton said.
Newton said that Aramark-contracted Twisted Taco and Einstein’s Bagels will move into the storefronts formerly occupied by Mosaique and Blue Sail Coffee, and that Uncle T’s former space will be turned into a university
welcome center.
The Einstein’s Bagels in the Student Center will remain open.
The former Trek Bike space will be used for UCA meetings and events.
UCA plans to launch the new restaurants in fall 2018. Marble Slab Creamery and the UCA Makerspace will remain in the building.
Students will be able to use their dining dollars at all three dining locations, including Marble Slab.
“Since these locations will be part of the Aramark contract with UCA, students will be able to use their dining dollars as they do with the current retail options in the Student Center, College of Business, library and Burdick,” Newton said.
Blue Sail co-owner and former Donaghey tenant Kyle Tabor said his shop would have been more successful if students had been able to use their dining dollars.
He said he requested the option to accept dining dollars, but it was never granted.
Director of Housing and Residence Life Stephanie McBrayer said the ability to use dining dollars at these locations precedes a restructured meal plan for next year, which will be determined during the May board of trustees meeting.
“I do know that we are structuring the meal plans to where they have more dining dollars because dining dollars are going to be accepted at the new shops,” McBrayer said.
Newton said the new shops were chosen based on input the administration received from students, faculty and staff.
“For dining options, survey results were used noting student and employee top choices for dining options. The welcome center is a much needed space and a natural fit for that location,” Newton said.
