Longer hours and more dining options in Benson

By Mary Georgevich

An expanded Mission Bakery was reopened Thursday as part of a plan by Dining Services to accommodate an increasing number of students.

The Mission Bakery remodel was part of an overall plan which resulted in extended hours, more services and more dining choices and locations.

Bon Appetit held discussions last year about what could be done to decrease waiting time after students complained about long lines, said Lori Flashner, Bon Appetit general manager.

"As we realized that the class size this year would be much larger, we started making some decisions in the spring quarter as to what we would do about services this year," she said.

The cost of the bakery construction so far is $500,000, according to Jane Barrantes, director of auxiliary services.

Over the summer, the bakery was completely gutted and rebuilt. The new structure was designed to improve speed of service for students and allow dining services to offer a greater variety of food choices, according to an e-mail from Matt Cameron, assistant vice provost for student life.

The bakery has expanded its menu for lunch and dinner. A build-your-own pita option will be offered during lunch, and during dinner there will be a hot carving station, Flashner said.

Though the expected completion date was Sept. 1, because of delays in the permit process for tiling and work on the ceiling, the bakery opened with the start of school.

"We had to go through a health department permitting process," Flashner said. "Sometimes it just takes a little bit longer than expected."

Even with a new Mission Bakery, students are still noticing longer wait times for food in the main cafeteria of Market Square.

"I definitely feel that the lines have been longer than last year," sophomore Anna Wheatley said. "It gets really crazy around peak meal times."

Such complaints have come even though Dining Services extended its hours.

Market Square is now open until 8:00 p.m., Sun. - Thurs., while The Bronco is open Mon. - Fri., 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The menu within The Bronco has been expanded as it changes into an option for lunch throughout the week.

Pizza by the slice, toasted sandwiches, salads and fruit will all be available during The Bronco's lunch hours.

Flashner said the Cellar Market was also painted over the summer, and more natural products have been made available.

While most major construction on the Mission Cafe is finished, there are still some decorative touches to add, Flashner said.

Flashner hopes congestion in Market Square will ease up once students settle in.

"I think it's a matter of getting the word out and allowing people to settle into their routine," she said.

Until then the crowding may continue.

"The other day I had to wait 25 minutes for a sandwich," Emily McLaughlin, sophomore, said. "I never had to wait that long last year."

Contact Mary Georgevich at (408) 554-4546 or mgeorgevich@scu.edu.