Construction on the new CVS at 3401 Walnut St. and the departure of several food vendors from the Moravian Cafes have adversely affected small food businesses located nearby.
"Of course the traffic has slowed down tremendously," said Chocolate Guy owner James Glass, explaining that customers who frequented the cafes would want a sweet snack after their meal and wander into his shop.
"We relied on people who have a craving for chocolate after they eat, and since we're right beside [the Moravian Cafes], it kind of put us right in the line of fire for that dessert kick, and now we don't have it," he said.
Some students disagree that the Moravian Cafes are responsible for reduced customer traffic at the Chocolate Guy.
Although Wharton freshman Greg Mazlin frequently used to stop by the Moravian Cafes for a meal, he has never bought anything from smaller stores in the same area.
"I've only been to the Chocolate Guy once when I had a craving for a chocolate strawberry just because it's so expensive, plus I personally would rather eat a bigger meal and not have dessert," Mazlin said.
However, local shop owners insist that their businesses have been negatively affected by construction in the Moravian Cafes area.
"Our food is just a snack -- not a meal -- so if [a nearby] store is open, a lot of times after a meal [customers will] come get a drink or a pretzel, but now there aren't really a lot of people coming through,"Auntie Anne's manager Li Ling said.
Dunkin Donuts employee Nick Williams pointed out that the cafes also provided a seating area for customers at smaller shops without tables.
"Sometimes, since we don't have seating here, they would get donuts, get bagels and then they would go to the Cafes to sit down and eat and enjoy their food," Williams said.
Many stores along Walnut Street are anxiously waiting for the Moravian Cafes to be fully complete and operating, in the hope that business will pick up again. In the meantime, some have resorted to offering more coupons to Penn and Drexel students to attract customers.
