Campus Pizza

Students looking to get their pizza fix in The Commons this semester will still be able to do so, but not with Campus Pizza, a popular eatery that failed to renew its lease with First Amherst Development.

Instead, a Sbarro pizzeria, Dairy Queen and Orange Julius are scheduled to open in its place.

Michael Lewkowicz, president of Sub Ventures, LLC, signed the lease for the building and owns several Subway sandwich franchises in the area, including the one in The Commons.

"I believe in brands," he said. "People know what they are getting."

According to Lewkowicz, the new business, which is a combination of the three eateries and seats fifty people, will offer a full array of food. Sbarro's menu includes different pizzas, pasta dishes, La Nova chicken wings, fresh salads, and a few other Italian dishes. Dairy Queen will offer soft serve desserts and Orange Julius's specialty is smoothies.

Shane Wolf, a sophomore communication major, said he's excited for the new place to open.

"I didn't really eat at Campus Pizza," Wolf said. "I think this place will do better because it is something different."

There are students many students, however, who said they will miss Campus Pizza.

Arlene Rizzo, an employee for the law school, said she was very disappointed when she first learned Campus Pizza closed.

"Most of the eateries in the Commons were local businesses, not chains," she said. "Now the chains are taking over. I find it a scary trend."

"I have heard only from people who were disappointed about the Sub Shoppe and now Campus Pizza being gone," Rizzo added.

Jennifer Hayes, also an employee for the law school, said she often took advantage of Campus Pizza's eat-in atmosphere.

"They had great food and the service was supreme," Hayes said. "It was nice to have a place to go on lunch hour and sit and relax in a 'restaurant style' environment."

With the closing of Campus Pizza, there is officially no place on either campus that serves alcohol and UB is for all intents and purposes a dry campus.

"I know people who liked to have a glass of wine or a beer with their lunch, but now that is gone," Rizzo said.

Sbarro, Dairy Queen, and Orange Julius are scheduled to open Oct. 1, despite many attempts to open earlier.

"We were supposed to start construction after July 1 and the target opening day was September 10 but we ran into a few problems," Lewkowicz said.

According to Lewkowicz, about $500,000 went into the new eatery.

"It is going to be beautiful," he said.

Lewkowicz said he hopes to expand catering and set up online ordering along with a wireless network for students to use laptops inside. He also hopes to have the new eatery accept dining dollars.

Between the three businesses, they will hire twenty to thirty workers, and Lewkowicz said those students who worked for Campus Pizza are more than welcome to get in touch with him about future employment.

Although Campus Pizza closed, some of the most loyal customers said they would at least try the new eatery.

"I will probably only buy a soft serve from Dairy Queen on occasion but as far as the rest, probably not," Rizzo said. "Maybe a slice of pizza out of desperation, but no more than that."