Area food stores get summer renovation

Heavy construction throughout the summer may bring a higher quality of off-campus food service this year. The Unimart on the corner of 40th and Locust streets, for example, was closed for construction in July. Renovations have just been completed, and the store now includes take-out areas for pizza and Blimpie's sandwiches. "An improved convenience store should be open and ready for students in the fall," Associate Treasurer Chris Mason said. "I know a lot of people depend on Unimart for daily groceries -- the renovations should further improve the store." Stouffer Triangle, next to the Quadrangle, was also under construction this summer, and a new restaurant called Salad Works should be open for business by September, Mason said. College Pizza, which had difficulties recovering profits after a fire last year, will return to its original location between Baskin Robbins and Cinemagic 3. Mason said the smaller site is more suited to the restaurant's mostly take-out business. The University has also decided to reopen La Terrasse, a French restaurant located on 35th and Sansom streets. It is scheduled to be finished during the early part of 1997, according to Mason. "I really think the community will enjoy the reopening of this fine French restaurant," Mason said. "It will add to the atmosphere of the University." The former College Pizza building and nearby Mega Video, which was also struck by fire, could both be replaced by one new store, Mason said. He added that the University will continue negotiations concerning the space. Mega Video did not return to campus after the fire because of "business concerns," Mason said. He added that he is "satisfied with the University's retail situation." One restaurant in the University area recently closed. The Pizza House, on the corner of 39th and Walnut, shut down earlier this month and has no plans for reopening. Discovery Discs in Houston Hall also closed on June 23. A new music store, CDs to Go, has opened in its place.