A pizza parlor will not be opening on campus as soon as planned.

According to Caitlin Brewster, Dining Services marketing and customer service manager, the Mellow Mushroom franchise has backed out of plans to open a restaurant in Carrollton Hall.

‘We have been in negotiation with several local restaurants but have not come to terms as yet,’ Brewster stated in an e-mail.

‘Our latest interest, Mellow Mushroom, has decided at the eleventh hour that our space is not a fit with their concept.’

Now, Dining Services is searching for an alternative vendor. Brewster noted, however, that the pizza parlor would not be able to open in January as planned.

Some students were upset with the change.

‘I would be really disappointed if Mellow Mushroom backed out. I was really excited,’ said Kim Buras, graphic design freshman. ‘It was false hope.’

Yet, for other students like music industry freshman Matt Harris, the delay has little significance.

‘I’m kind of indifferent about it,’ Harris said.

‘If we don’t get a pizza place, we have WOW at Tulane.’

The plan to put a new food vendor in Carrollton Hall initiated last semester.

After discussion with Student Government Association senators and focus groups, dining services concluded that a pizza parlor would be the best option for the space.

‘Dining understands the frustration this is causing students, faculty and staff and is doing everything possible to meet the needs of everyone, as well as negotiate the best new dining operation for the campus,’ Brewster said.

Masako Hirsch can be reached at [email protected]

Precious Esie contributed to this story. She can be reached at

[email protected]
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