Although question marks surround several of the University's major retail tenants, most of the space available for businesses on campus is filled.
Only five spots are vacant between 34th and 40th streets. However, University retail has recently experienced significant upheaval with the potential revamping of the 3900 block of Walnut Street, including the possible eviction of the Cinemagic 3 movie theater.
Penn is in the process of deciding which food vendors would perform best in the three open spots in the Moravian Cafes, next to Famous Famiglia Pizza and Gourmet Ice Cream and Yogurt -- the only two remaining vendors.
Bitar's, Oriental Gourmet, Philly Steak and Gyro Company, The GrillWorks, Buckhead Deli and Wrap Company and Salad Creations -- former tenants of the 3401 Walnut St. location -- chose not to renew their leases.
Officials hope to announce the new occupants by the end of the semester and expect to have the entirety of the Cafes' site up and running when students return in September.
CVS is likely to move into the other half of the 15,000-square-foot site.
However, the existing CVS at 3923 Walnut St. is slated to remain open after the new CVS comes to this location.
The University is also in the process of exploring options to fill the two other vacancies along 40th Street between Walnut and Spruce streets.
Bike Line, a regional chain, moved out of its space in the middle of the block to a Center City location last September.
Bike Line store manager Frank Schinchirimini would not disclose the reason for the move at the time.
The only other retail vacancy on campus lies a few storefronts away from the former Bike Line location.
The space directly adjacent to Marathon Grill has been vacant since the beginning of the school year.
