CVS or a similar type of drugstore is slated to move into space recently vacated by four eateries in Moravian Cafes.
The current food court, located at 34th and Walnut streets, will be subdivided, with part of the space remaining as food stands and the rest of the area housing a convenience store.
"We do not have a lease with CVS, but we are talking to that company," Facilities and Real Estate Services spokesman Tony Sorrentino said. "Our hope is that a CVS-like store would operate in there, we think that a CVS-type store, with that kind of merchandise ... is the kind of store that would be successful there."
The Facilities Committee of the Undergraduate Assembly recently met with officials from the University Department of Facilities and Real Estate to discuss putting in a convenience center into the 15,000-square-foot location.
Something like a CVS or Wawa was "what [the group] decided was mostly needed there," UA member and College and Wharton sophomore Anthony Guiliano said.
Though plans are still being worked out, the renovations are scheduled to be completed by September 2005. Portions of the food court will remain open during construction.
Ed Ghreivi, owner of Gourmet Ice Cream and Yogurt -- which has been operating out of Moravian Cafes since 1988 -- said that he is extremely happy with his business and believes that any decisions made should be in the best interests of the students.
"The [important] thing is what is good for the student," said Ghreivi, noting that a CVS might be the likely occupant of the space.
He added that he is happy with Facilities Services and Penn's plans for the future of the cafes.
"I've been working with them [and] it's wonderful," said Ghreivi, who noted that he will continue to remain as a tenant of the food court.
Facilities officials are also positive about the upcoming change.
"By introducing a convenience store use, you're playing to the strength of it as a service corridor," Sorrentino said.
Facilities and Real Estate Services was led to look for ways to update the space and make it more useful for students and faculty due to the recent expansion of retail and dining outlets around campus, particularly establishments located on 40th Street and University Square, and the changing face of the dining industry.
The food court, which opened in 1986, was one of the first indoor establishments on campus where people could buy food on the run.
Up until that point, food trucks were the most common form of fast and on campus.
Sorrentino said that Moravian Cafes will continue to play an important role as a service provider along Walnut Street, which, among other stores, is home to the Gap, Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks.
The cafe fits "with the character of 34th and Walnut as a service-oriented strip," Sorrentino said.
Though visitors to the Moravian Cafes are upset that some of the vendors are gone, they believe that a convenience store may be a useful addition to the existing space.
"I think it would be good, [but] I was upset when I arrived and [the Philly cheesesteak] was not available to me," College senior Sam Hershey said.
"I'm entering extreme depression," he added.
The new store would most likely cater to residents of both Hill and King's Court/English House college houses.
"It's always useful to have an extra store around -- I mean Wawa doesn't have everything," College freshman and KC/EH resident Naina Gupta said.
Others see renovations as a chance to change cafe features.
Second-year Engineering graduate student Ashish Patel said that the late nights he spends studying in one of the School of Engineering and Applied Science's many buildings prevent him from getting to Moravian by its 10 p.m. closing time.
"It could be better and a little cheaper," said Patel, who noted that in lieu of the cafes, he visits Philly Diner or other restaurants around 40th Street.
Managers and personnel of the four closed operations -- Philly Steak and Gyro Company, The GrillWorks, Buckhead Deli and Wrap Company and Salad Creations -- were unable to be reached for comment.
