New retailers open near campus

For the first time since last October, students can once again fill their bagel needs in Houston Hall. University Bagel officially opens this week in the Hall of Flags space previously occupied by Bagel Builders. The restaurant is one of three businesses to open recently on and around campus. Smile Dry Cleaners also opened its doors recently, in a previously unused space in the Houston Hall Mall. In addition, College Buffet, which bills itself as "a Hong Kong Bakery," moved into 3901 Walnut Street. Financial difficulties forced Bagel Builders to close their Houston Hall location -- in addition to five or six others in the area -- late last year. Associate Director of Student Life Tom Hauber explained that the University has been searching for a replacement for Bagel Builders since October, and is confident that University Bagel will serve the campus well. "We wanted to stay in the bagel business," Hauber said. "We know it's a service people want." Hauber said 16 merchants expressed interest in the space, including Manhattan Bagels, Shenandoah Bagels and numerous independent retailers. "We wanted to find the right person and hopefully we have," Hauber said. "We also wanted someone who could work with us individually." University Bagel is an independent store owned by Ashok Patel, who also manages four Dunkin' Donuts stores in the region. In addition to bagels, University Bagel will sell deli-style sandwiches, specialty coffees, milkshakes and yogurt. The facility will also offer takeout, delivery and catering. University Bagel is slated to open for business Wednesday. Its weekday hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. Smile Dry Cleaners, owned by Haeng Kim, opened January 2. "I really like working with students and young people, and I am happy to be here," Kim said. Hauber said his office had received approximately 20 requests a day for new dry cleaning facilities since Henry Dry Cleaners closed in Houston Hall last summer. Smile Dry Cleaners is open for business 8 a.m.to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. And College Buffet began serving students and community members December 18 on the corner of 39th and Walnut streets. House of Pizza, which was formerly located in that location, closed in early June, and the facility has remained empty since then. College Buffet is open for lunch and dinner daily, as well as for weekend brunch.