Chats' weekend business thrives

Business has boomed during the late night and early morning hours at Chats, the newest campus eatery located in Class of 1920 Commons. Although the lunch crowd remains small, students have chosen to study, eat or simply relax in the new facility at night -- often staying until closing hours. And when Without A Net performed Sunday night, a standing- room-only crowd filled the cafe's large center room. Before Chats opened, Dining Services Director William Canney had expressed some concern regarding weekend crowds. He said he was worried that students might choose parties or clubs over the quieter, more laid-back atmosphere of Chats. But Chats Manager Carl Devitz said Chats' first weekend in business was an overall success. "Friday night was slow," he said. "But [Saturday] night was really good." Devitz said he is entertaining the possibility of extending Chats' hours until 3 a.m. on the weekends. However, he said this would not take effect until next year. 1920 Commons Manager Angelo Buccat said many students either came early Saturday night after the basketball game, or much later. Chats was open until 2 a.m. during the weekend, and until midnight on Sunday. "I haven't left the building except for two hours or something like that since Friday night," said Buccat, an Engineering senior. "Lunch is still kind of slow but a lot of people have been coming." Although Without A Net's appearance brought many first-time customers, the entertainment did not please everyone, as students who were trying to study found the noise level obtrusive. "[Chats is] a good place to chat but not a good place to do quiet studying," College junior Seth Stoller said. Devitz said Sunday's event will not be a regular occurrence, adding that Without A Net representatives asked if they could perform in return for advertising Chats during their show. And many students who watched the performance said their first experience enticed them to want to come back. "It seems friendly," College sophomore Rachel Mudge said. "I'll definitely come again." But although many said they liked Chats' atmosphere, some students objected to the "cashless environment" of Chats. "It took the longest time because we couldn't use cash," Nursing freshman Stacey Hanberry said. "And it's almost too convenient -- we'll just run up our bursar bills." Some patrons also said Chats provides a safer environment than the Wawa Food Market at 38th and Spruce streets, since it faces Locust Walk and always has an Allied security guard on duty.