Students against possible Café Verde closing
Sodexo says no decision as of now, regulars petition to keep doors open

University students and Café Verde regulars have been signing a petition for the past two weeks after speculation that the West Quad eatery could be shutting down.

More than 100 students signed the petition on the first night, others are still signing daily, and some even said they would picket for Café Verde to stay in business.

Café Verde and Bates are the only USC dining facilities open nightly on the west side of campus, and many students said they find Café Verde more convenient for dinner on the go. The small restaurant also offers convenience and grocery items available for purchase with Carolina Cash.

Michael Scheffres, the Sodexo general manager, said he could not comment on the closing of Café Verde and that no decision has been made. Scheffres added that when he first started planning for the honors dorms two years ago, Sodexo needed to take a look at the dining focus on the west side of campus.

"I can't comment yet because we just started talking about it," Scheffres said. "We just haven't decided. “We need to look at the area and decide what we want to do.”

Scheffres said no official meetings of the closing have taken place, and none are scheduled for the immediate future.

“We have certainly not made a decision,” Sheffres said.

Last week Carolina Dining emailed surveys to West Quad residents to evaluate Café Verde, but results have not been recorded.

Sweet Dunlap, the Café Verde manager, said he knows as little on the closing as the students who visit.

"I didn't hear too much from management," he said. "They just keep saying a decision hasn't been made yet. I was asking my supervisor just now, and even she doesn't know anything because she hasn't heard from her supervisor."

Dunlap said although he has another job, he enjoys working at the café and does not want to see it close.

"I enjoy working here and I know other employees enjoy working here too," Dunlap said. "It's a great place to come and enjoy your food."

Café Verde specializes in pizza, pasta and subs, and is open Monday through Thursday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. The café also offers call-ahead ordering for faster service.

John Ridgeway, a first-year biology student, said he would boycott other USC dining services.

"I would just starve," he said. "I get tired of Russell House and Bates, Café Verde is all I eat."

Ridgeway said the fact that he is close to the employees makes the potential closing especially hard.

"We talk every night," Ridgeway said. "They usually know what I want right when I walk in the door."

Other students share the same attitude. Sarah Jordan, a first-year hotel, restaurant and tourism management student, said she will probably not eat USC dining if Café Verde closed.

"It's a convenient location," Jordan said. "It's right where I park so I eat here all the time. If it closes, I'll probably just eat Wendy's.

"Corey Dorey, a first-year business student, said he has heard of Café Verde's closing and believes the closing would be a mistake for university dining services.

"Café Verde shouldn't close," he said. "It's the only place on campus that actually cares about the customers and the food they serve."

Chelsea Shamsedin, a second-year business student, said that although she is a fan of Café Verde, she wishes the hours were more student-friendly.

“I just wish it was open for lunch,” she said. “But other than that, it’s awesome. It’s open late, and I think that’s key for university restaurants to make money and please its customers.”

Although Café Verde's largest customer population is regulars, Dunlap said he sees new faces every day.

"We get new students who haven't been here before, and they become regular customers every day," Dunlap said. "As for now, keep coming out and enjoying the food as long as it lasts."

Naquan Moran, a Café Verde employee, said he agrees with Dunlap.

"It's a nice environment to work in and we've got great people who come in," Moran said.

Moran said he loves his job and believes Café Verde is the superior dining service on campus.

"Our location is great and I'm hoping we'll do great in competition in the future. We let students freestyle and customize their food," he said. "I really don't want to leave."