Dining Services plans summer renovations to elevate the student experience
Using student feedback, Dining Services is creating three new shops to take over Au Bon Pain and updating bathrooms in certain facilities.
A digital rendering of the new restroom space at Owen's Food Court
At the close of the spring semester, Virginia Tech Dining Services bid farewell to Au Bon Pain, one of its staple shops.
Au Bon Pain formerly operated as a standalone shop inside Squires Food Court, a satellite location at the Graduate Life Center, and a grab-and-go kiosk at Goodwin Hall. By the start of the fall semester, these three locations will be renovated and transformed into three new original dining brands: Corner, Ducky's, and Viva Too.
“It has been an incredible 20-year partnership with Au Bon Pain. Dining Services made the hard decision to move in an exciting new direction for all three Au Bon Pain campus locations,” said Brian Grove, director of Dining Services.
A digital rendering of the new shop coming to Squire's Food Court. The shop will be called Corner and feature made-to-order sandwiches, soups, and more.
The Squires Food Court Au Bon Pain location will become Corner, capturing the essence of Squires Student Center as the central location for most students. The offerings at Corner will primarily consist of freshly made grab-and-go meals, made-to-order salads and sandwiches, and a variety of coffee and tea-based specialty beverages.
The Goodwin Au Bon Pain location will become the second location for Viva Market, appropriately named Viva Too.
The former Au Bon Pain location in the Graduate Life Center will become a new original dining concept called Ducky’s. This vibrant new boba shop promises a diverse array of bubble teas and grab-and-go meals, featuring a fusion of traditional Asian flavors and contemporary trends.
“We always use the student voice to guide our offerings, and with three separate refreshes and rebrands, we have the chance to address a variety of requests,” said Brandon Hendricks, senior associate director of Dining Services.
Owens Food Court is currently undergoing extensive restroom renovations that started immediately after the semester ended May 9. The renovation project aims to revamp the restroom facilities before the fall semester with upgrades including the installation of a new pushout wall, a gender-neutral/family use restroom, additional Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant stalls equipped with an adult changing table, digital messaging screens, a water bottle filling station, upgraded area-enhanced storage, and an expanded ice machine behind Freshens.
Plans showing the bathroom renovations of Owen's Food Court.
In addition to the new shops taking over the Au Bon Pain locations, a new allergen-friendly shop, Allee, is being added to the Dining Services portfolio. Allee, which piloted this spring at Dietrick Hall, will offer a wide range of pre-packaged products catering to various dietary needs and restrictions.
As these projects progress, Dining Services’ leadership team continues to research and develop strategies to create new experiences for all Hokies and they can expect the same exceptional quality and convenience currently offered and expanded.
Stay up to date with information regarding the new shops, their menus, and their progress by following Dining Services' social media accounts, @Hokiedining.
