Subway

Since its opening in August, the new Subway that replaced the Sub Shoppe in the Commons has been packed with hungry students, adding another national food chain that will compete with smaller eateries like the Campus Cafe for student business.

Plans for the changeover began at the start of the last year when the Sub Shoppe was brought under new management and the wheels were set in motion to convert the eatery into a Subway franchise, according to Michael Lewkowicz, owner of the Subway in the Commons.

"It was always my plan to turn it into a Subway, and I probably should have turned it into a Subway sooner," Lewkowicz said.

Lewkowicz added he hoped to that the new Subway could be a source of job opportunities for students hoping to earn extra money. "We are constantly looking for managers, sandwich artists, anyone who's ready for a good time," he said.

Interest in the eatery has been high, with lines frequently running out the door.

"I've been here since 6:30 in the morning, working all the way," said Liz Crawford, a Subway employee.

Fellow employee Jon Lasorsa, who worked there before the change in ownership, said that it never used to be this busy.

"It really doesn't let up," he said while handling a flood of sandwich orders.

Other businesses in the Commons have mixed feelings about the new franchise.

The Campus Caf?Aea, which also specializes in sandwiches, has seen reduced business since the Subway moved in, according to Campus Caf?Aea employee Julie Lang. Lang, a junior English and communications major, said she thinks her restaurant offers something that Subway cannot.

"I know many kids from far away who prefer The Campus Caf?Aea for a homemade food feel," she said.

Lang added that she thinks Subway's location and brand name status can make it a much more attractive option to students. While Subway is within sight from almost anywhere in the Commons' mini-mall setup, the Campus Caf?Aea occupies a smaller, less-noticeable area set inside a food court.

"A lot of people don't know that we're here," Lang said. "(Subway has) advertising we can't match. Some people prefer Subway because they know what they're getting."

Other Commons businesses said they think Subway will raise interest in the overall area.

"It'll bring more people to the Commons," said Fan Yeung, manager of Young Chow since 1995.

Yeung said he does not see the newcomer as competition due to the differing products.

"We have our own customers and own food," he said. "Even when the moved in, we were just as busy. Most importantly, everyone has their own food. Subway sells the subs, Burger King sells the burgers, even the Korean place (the Korean Caf?Aea) sells Korean food."

Students also expressed mixed opinions on the changeover.

"Subway is good, but the lines are too long," said Mike Jazmin, a senior international studies major.

Jazmin added that Subway is an alternative to other eateries in the Commons that serve mainly fatty foods. "It's a healthier choice than the other restaurants," he said.

Joe Gobeyn, a senior physics major, said he's not caught up in the Subway craze.

"I don't like their subs. They're too soggy," Gobeyn said. "I'd rather go to Wegman's."