During the past three and a half years I've watched downtown Milwaukee and the Marquette campus get a much-needed facelift. Wisconsin Avenue is now adorned with relatively new businesses, including a Borders bookstore, Applebee's, Linen n' Things and Mocha's coffee bistro. These shops have given the downtown area more of a trendy, cosmopolitan vibe.
As for our own campus, the beautification project has given Marquette a visible identity in Milwaukee, from attractive landscaping to identifying signs and pillars. But our side of town is still in desperate need of new businesses.
I'm not disappointed to look into the windows of the old Blockbuster Video and Eagles' Café locations and see empty, failed businesses. This chunk of space represents the perfect, and long overdue opportunity for this university to recruit some decent dining spots.
Students deserve more eatery options then quick subs, greasy grabs and cafeteria food. I've been frequently reiterating this overly obvious point for my entire college career. If someone can please explain to me why this campus lacks this niche of business then I'm begging you for the answer.
Look at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus, which has several dining locations within walking distance. For example, besides several subs and pizza joints, they also have a Qdoba and Noodles and Co. nearby. I'm jealous.
A casual dining location, like Panera for example, would be perfect on one of the empty corners. A move like that would extend the downtown area into our isolated campus of few choices. We shouldn't have to take a bus downtown, to the Eastside or to Mayfair to find more desirable dining locations.
Don't tell me that the location, location, location motto for business success fails to meet the standard here at Marquette. There are more than 11,000 students, including undergraduate and graduate students. Everyone I know complains about the lack of food joints and would definitely eat up the idea of a casual dining restaurant on campus.
OK, so now someone will likely tell me that during the summer, places lose their business. First off, a move like this may make staying in Milwaukee over the summer more appealing. Also, a casual dining business will bring in clientele outside of the Marquette community, which will likely increase over the summer months.
In addition, students would have a spot to take their visiting family members and friends for lunch and have additional employment opportunities that are close to home.
I'll admit that I don't know all the marketing and business complexities involved in such a proposal. What I do know is that Milwaukee is evolving into a more modern and health conscious city. We now have the Pick n' Save Metro Market, the Milwaukee Public Market and a city on the verge of being Wi-Fi. Marquette should continue to evolve with the city. Plus, a move like this will be another appealing selling point to perspective students.
So, Marquette please don't miss the chance to bring in appealing food businesses to our campus.