Healthy fare, with soups, salads, sandwiches, and espresso – especially espresso and coffee drinks – are the preferred options from a survey of customers last year for a new restaurant in the Graduate Student Commons building at Quarry Plaza.
The Graduate Commons governance board announced in October that the contract for Joe’s Pizza and Subs, which had operated at the location since 2003, was up at the end of the academic year and that it would seek a new operator. Requests for Interest (RFIs) were sent today to 35 potential restaurant operators with a deadline of July 2 to respond.
A restaurant subcommittee will whittle the list to a handful, said Rachel Neuman, business and building manager for the commons. Those potential vendors will be invited to submit proposals with more details – a business vision, menu selections, experience, and financials. Neuman said the committee hopes to have a new operator in place by the beginning of fall quarter.
Crews are already deep cleaning the space, painting, repairing refrigeration, and replacing some appliances, Neuman said. The successful bidder will also have the opportunity to specify additional equipment as part of negotiations.
Top potential vendors will be able to tour the space in about a month. Requests for proposals are due August 5. Interested parties may contact Neuman at rneuman@ucsc.edu or 459-1395.
