Some students on Loyola’s campus have voiced concerns over the change in Flambeaux’s closing time from 2 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Caitlin Brewster, Dining Services marketing and customer services manager, said the reason for the early closure is the new dining option that should have opened at the beginning of this semester.

This option is a pizza parlor from the Mellow Mushroom franchise, that will be located in Carrollton Hall’s first floor, but the planning is not on schedule.

Therefore, there are currently no late-night places to eat on Loyola’s campus.

One option available until the Mellow Mushroom is expected to open in March is just across Freret Street.

‘Tulane’s WOW is open until 4:00 a.m. on the weekends,’ Brewster said.

Some students, however, are unconvinced that the opening of the Mellow Mushroom will run on time.

‘The new Flambeaux’s opened months later than expected last semester,’ said music industry studies sophomore Zach Lombardo.

‘I’m very skeptical as to when the Mellow Mushroom will open. It’s one thing to change Flambeaux’s hours when the Mellow Mushroom opens, but it’s another to change the hours while the new place is still under construction.’

Dining services led focus groups last year to discuss the food choices students would like to see offered on Loyola’s campus for the following year.

‘Pizza was the first option chosen and Mexican food being the second,’ Brewster said in reference to the students’ preferences.

‘After speaking to students, the Mellow Mushroom seemed like the best decision which the tricky space allowed,’ Brewster said, describing the location in Carrollton Hall where no frying can occur.

As of now, some students expressed dissatisfaction with the new hours for Flambeaux’s.

‘I’m surprised and disappointed,’ said Alex Thomas, biochemistry sophomore. ‘I feel 12 a.m. would be a better compromise.’

He said he understands the reasoning if it is because there is not a demand for the food so late, but he feels the demand does exist and that most students would not want to walk all the way to Tulane for food at such a late hour.

‘It should be at least 12 a.m. Most college campuses have dining options open 24-hours,’ said David Reeves, biology sophomore.

However, not all students are upset about the change.

‘Flambeaux’s being open late last semester was such a new thing that I guess I didn’t use it enough to justify it being open until 2 a.m.,’ John Valdespino, music industry junior said.

‘I can see why they’re not staying open as late, but it should be at least midnight.’

As this issue was going to press, The Maroon staff received information that Dining Services is no longer opening the Mellow Mushroom pizza parlor in Carrollton Hall.

The space did not work for the vendor, so Flambeaux’s will return to last semester’s hours and will close at 2 a.m.

‘In anticipation of a late night pizza caf’eacute; Dining Services decided to reduce the hours of operation for Flambeaux’s,’ Brewster stated in an e-mail to The Maroon.’

‘Now, three weeks later, we are delayed and understand that dining is not meeting the needs of the students and will re-open Flambeaux’s until a relationship with a pizza vendor can be established.’

Julia Russler can be reached at [email protected]
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