"Recently, there have been posts about SU Dining Services providing catering to the public in competition to private business. I can most certainly understand the private business owners objections. It is my understanding that UMES is now planning a restaurant on the downtown plaza. This is being praised as advancement to the plaza by our city leaders. These are the same leaders that state that the public should support the eleven (? - their statement) local downtown restaurants. If UMES starts a restaurant downtown they will destroy the local downtown restaurant scene.
Why- 1. They can use student help, therefore not needing to pay for their staff. By the way 88% of UMES students are on financial aid which means the local restaurant owners will actually paying their competition's staff pay. 2. UMES buys from the State of Maryland food contracts which are priced far below what the other private restaurants in the area are paying.
Essentially, UMES can start this restaurant, charge lower prices, buy higher quality food, and put the other local restaurants out of business.
I am not a restaurant owner or associated with any restaurants ( I used to be quite a few years ago). I thought you may be interested in this situation since you used to own a restaurant and obviously know the financial pressures as well as personal pressures of owning a restaurant. Do you know if there is any truth to this rumor that UMES is planning to start a restaurant on the plaza?"
I wasn't aware of this going on but if you're correct, you're exactly right. Let's see where the comments take us with this one. Joe
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
19 comments:
UMES should be paying attention to
education. I will not help pay for a business they have created .
If this is true , I will fight to the end.It does sound like something they would try !!!
About 10-15 years ago, the local restaurants got SU to stop operating a special brunch and banquet business that it was offering to the public. The current situation -- allowing the public to eat in the dining hall -- has been in place since then. Apparently local restaurant operators are satisfied with that.
In some states, there are laws that prohibit state and local government from offering food services to the general public.
They are paying attention to education and by opening a real resturant they might teach kids how to tun a business that actually works.
If you believe that it is wrong for UMES to own and operate a restaurant then you must also agree they should not own and operate a Golf course as well.
They own a course outside of Ocean Pines and rumor has it they may try and purchase Great Hope. The course in Ocean Pines I'm told was donated to them because it was getting ready to go up on auction.
I really don’t think that the patrons of Market Street, City Bistro, and Brew River are going to eat at a restaurant that is operated by UMES students.
However this is another step into bringing more businesses onto the Plaza which I am in favor of.
As long as it’s not a fried chicken joint, I’m ok.
Why not fried chicken? It's a staple of the eastern shore.
I agree that it would be good for student education to learn how to run a real business with real customers. Most kids now a days don't know how to deal with the public when something goes wrong.
I doubt this business will take away loyal customers. But it might make the current businesses better, if that's possible. (some goos ones out there)
The Commons dining facility is a real treasure. The food is four star quality and the variety is tremendous. I eat there at least once a week and would place the quality as high or higher than any of the finer establishments in the area. The kitchen is clean enough to eat off the floor and they employ numerous special needs citizens. This is a fine eatery and it should serve as a model for others to follow. They should continue to serve the public if they wish to eat there.
7:44 AM-
The golf course in Berlin was donated to Wor-Wic, not UMES.
I believe there is a bldg. named Richard Henson at UMES that is dedicated to catering curriculum.
So, apparently they - (administration) - is trying to expand the operation to include actual services.
But I agree with many of the postings here, it is a sad state of affairs when our educational system is so bloated that in order to justify receiving continued funding it is predicated on something more of a Socicalist nature. The educational institution should be focusing their efforts on core points like math, english, sciences, and technology, as opposed to owning golf courses and restaurants.
Students on certain types of student loans have to work at campus jobs - which means the campus has to create them.
as someone who worked on the plaza for years, a good/inexpensive restaurant would be welcomed within walking distance.
most of the ones there are overpriced, and dont really have decent food.
to 9:52: I agree there has to be a creation of jobs. But, you shouldn't go into competition with the people are paying the students tuitions.
Also, if you think this is just a bunch of students out having fun cooking, better think again. If you have ever been to a UMES food function they are as good as anything that is served in Salisbury.
UMES is not going to stop me from patronizing Brew River or Market Street. Both of these establishments have gone downhill. I will still patronize Flavors and City Bistro. Bring someone else on!!!
"The educational institution should be focusing their efforts on core points like math, english, sciences, and technology, as opposed to owning golf courses and restaurants."
Well just as there are scientists and people well versed in English and math majors there are some who wish to pursue interests in owning businesses such as restaurants.
Its true-I dont see Market Street losing customers to this place if it opens-UMES should stick to a simple cafeteria style restaurant with no alcohol served and then the expensive downtown restaurants cant complain about "competition".People learning the hospitality business gotta learn somewhere.I am disappointed,however,that UMES does not consider opening this eatery in Somerset County,which is closer to the campus.
If the County is going to run liquor stores, then "WHY NOT"?
UMES has a bachelor degree program for Hotel Motel Restaurant Management. This teaches all phases of Hospitality Management from basic management, to cooking, presentation, marketing, sanitation and purchasing.
Would someone please explain to me why in the hell a college would own a golf course?
Geezz . . what is this world coming to. Isn't this financed by taxpayers money?
Someone should be investigating this transaction.
A couple of comments. First as a restauranteur I can tell you that we fought the development of the eatery at the Commons being open to the public.But the political fix was in and we were treated to the pretense of "concern" by our elected officials.
If UMES wants to open a restaurant here,I have no issue with it so long as they are not accorded special preferences in terms of employment and taxes.
As far as the golf course that was donated to Wor Wic...the course was defunct..out of business.The owner donated it as a means of trying to put the property to good use.It was and will continue to be a low cost alternative to the more expensive courses near the beach.
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