Winthrop Dining services has embraced several new changes this year alone, many of which include the renaming of Thomson to Eagle Eatery, Einstein Bros. Bagels extending its hours, Subway closing and Starbucks relocating temporarily to Markley’s.
In the wake of Subway closing due to short staffing, Eagle Eatery has opened its new Super Deli Station where there is a menu handwritten by the chef every single morning. There are more bread options, which come with the new ability to toast using the turboshaft toaster.
“[E]specially because [of] the pandemic, y’all didn’t really get to enjoy the made-to-order things that we had before. Because things were kind of, like, pre-packaged, because we needed to make sure that there were no lines, no hold up or anything,” said Aba Hutchison, marketing specialist for Winthrop Dining Services. “ But now we’re kind of freed up a little bit more. So we had the ability to give you guys your own.
“For example, you could choose to have a grilled chicken sandwich; we could pick out that grilled chicken separately, pick out your bread, you want all the toppings you want at the grill, which used to be the 360 station. And also, like with burgers, you don’t have to have the cheese already pre-melted onto it; you kind of have different cheese options.”
At the expanded Simple Servings counter, students have more options and are even able to participate in things like fried chicken Wednesday while enjoying gluten-free and allergen-safe foods.
“So we’ll be having more events in [the Simple Servings] area too. And we have a purple blender that we’re hoping that we can make some smoothies or something in the future, especially when our staffing gets up,” Hutchison said.
In light of the many changes made to Winthrop Dining, many students have formed their opinions.
“What I’ve noticed about Thomson is like a couple of signs. My God, it’s like what hasn’t changed like the eggs, the eggs suck. They look like sponges. But other than that, the soups have improved. … But there were way too many people in Thomson at the beginning of the semester. It was not welcoming at all. Me and my suitemates and my roommate; we did not enjoy our time in Thomson and actually avoided it. Oh, and I hate the new hours,” said Grace Griffin, sophomore digital information design major.
This semester, along with the new name, the hours in Eagle Eatery have been reduced. Last school year, Thomson’s hours were 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Fridays, and 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Eagle Eatery’s hours are now 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekends.
“We all hate the new hours. It doesn’t open early enough on weekends, because some people have got to get up and get their day going and it doesn’t open for long enough because some people have late classes. It’s inconsiderate to students. Like, we’re out here paying our tuition. … And we don’t even have a dining hall that stays open long enough for us to eat. That’s a shame,” Griffin said.
Eagle Eatery cashier Nicole Massey shared her opinion about some of the dining hall’s changes.
“I really like the changes. I think the students listened to a lot of their outputs from last season. And I think that we try to make as many adjustments as possible. As far as the COVID and everything, I think we’re doing a pretty good job as far as trying to meet their needs. … I love it. As long as I’m here to see my students. I’m just tickled pink. As long as they’re happy, I’m happy,” Massey said.
This year marked another major change with Starbucks moving downstairs to Markley’s food court due to renovations being made.
“I think that is something that should have been discussed, or at least let their workers know how long it’s going to take over. … We have known about the renovation since last year, but they’re now telling us when it’s gonna be done. And I just think that the timing on it is off. We have a lot of people who aren’t coming back because they can’t work in such a small space,” said Portia Blackman, Starbucks barista and junior mass communication major.
In the heart of Winthrop’s dining services, Markley’s houses Chick-fil-A, Tres Habaneros, The Grill, Mein Bowl and Einstein Bros. Bagels. As a result of the Starbucks renovations, there is now a kiosk located in Markley’s.
“There’s just no space to move around. There’s no space to make drinks. There’s no space for everybody to get stuff that needs to be done. And I just think that renovation is important, like, you need space to move around and work. Now they’re taking their time with giving us that space,” Blackman said. “They don’t let their workers know the time of things. Like, we don’t know when we’re going to be up there or when we will even come down here, I mean, like, I just feel like there’s no communication.”
