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August 19, 2005 > News > ‘13th Street’ to replace Subway

‘13th Street’ to replace Subway

By Risa Gordon | Thresher Editorial Staff

The space that housed Subway will open toward the beginning of September with a deli, a Smoothie King and a convenience store. 13th Street was scheduled to open by the first day of classes, but delays getting a building permit from the City of Houston and alterations to its architectural plans postponed the opening.

Within three days of the contractor completing the space, it will open for business, 13th Street’s Vice President for Operations Paul Alfonso said.

The new store will be called 13th Street in reference to Club 13. Housing and Dining Director Mark Ditman said he wanted to find a name that would be unique to Rice.

13th Street has been designed to reduce wait time for food by keeping at least two cash registers open at all times — three during peak times — that are each able to ring up any item. Alfonso said he plans to hire 12 employees, mostly from off campus, but that he wants to hire student employees in the future. 13th Street will accept tetra points.

Alfonso said his primary goal is improving customer service.

“Customer service is going to improve, period,” he said. “We are going to offer better customer service than has ever been offered in that space before.”

Students will be able to customize sandwiches, which will cost a flat rate of $3.79, from a variety of breads, cheeses, meats and spreads. Six different types of hot paninis will be offered, including two vegetarian options, and will cost about $4.

13th Street will also have several grab-and-go options in coolers, including sushi brought in daily from a local Japanese restaurant, salads and wraps. Alfonso said he plans to add a breakfast option.

The convenience store will initially offer about 80 to 100 different items, including non-food items, Alfonso said. However, nothing offered in 13th Street is unchangeable. Alfonso said he will listen to student suggestions about the menu and convenience store offerings.

Student Center Director Boyd Beckwith said Alfonso’s willingness incorporate feedback is a reason why Alfonso, who owns the Smoothie King franchise, was selected to manage 13th Street.

“[Alfonso] is very attentive to what the Rice community wants to have,” Beckwith said. “The menu is not going to be a done deal. If he gets lots of requests for … whatever, he’ll figure out a way to get it on the menu. He’s hands-on in terms of making sure the operation is running smoothly, and people should feel free to let him know what they think.”

Smoothie King, which currently occupies a space in Sammy’s Cafe, will expand its smoothie selections and add retail products, such as nutrition and energy bars. Smoothie King will be closed beginning Aug. 26 so its equipment can be moved to the new location, Alfonso said.

Ditman said Sammy’s will have extended hours until 13th Street opens, and Rice Catering will sell bag lunches in front of the Rice Bookstore until about the same time. Ditman said Housing and Dining has not decided what to put in Smoothie King’s vacated space, although a pizza parlor with pasta and salad options has been discussed.

Alfonso signed a multi-year contract with one-year contract extension options to operate the space formerly occupied by Subway. Rice receives a percentage of tetra point sales to help pay for the tetra point system, as well as a percentage of gross sales, Ditman said. The contract is not designed for Rice to earn a significant net profit, Ditman said. The money that is earned will probably be used to improve the operation in the future, he said. The revenue Rice earned from the operation of the Subway franchise was used to fund the renovation of 13th Street’s space, Ditman said.

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