As students return to Route 1 and flock to their favorite eateries and shops, some may come across unexpected an sight: covered windows and locked doors.
The ever-evolving face of downtown College Park is changing yet again as Smoothie King, Subway and 7-Eleven undergo renovations and Oh Nails closes its doors for what may be the last time. And Campus Candy, which was supposed to open in time for the spring semester in the space left vacant by former downtown bar The Mark, remains nowhere to be found.
City Economic Development Coordinator Chris Warren noted that although some city businesses may be struggling, the renovations and shifts that largely took place over winter break could help keep others afloat.
“I think it’s a great sign. It suggests that people are more confident about the economy,” he said. “If you renovate, that’s basically saying that you’re putting your profits into your business … and it also suggests that you see positive activity in the long run.”
For Smoothie King, the idea is just that. By bringing in new brightly colored walls, countertops and tiled floors as per franchise orders, employee Carlos Parada said students will be able to enjoy a revitalized atmosphere at their local smoothie shop.
Subway underwent similar renovations, receiving new equipment, wallpaper and bathrooms, said owner Jay Patel. Its new prized possession is an enlarged sandwich unit, allowing more space to keep fresh condiments.
Patel said he realized the changes were necessary when he took up ownership of the store this August.
“The previous owner had not put money in it for about 10 years,” he said. “They were not keeping up with the place. … We wanted to make it right from day one.”
The store’s previous owners had problems with health inspectors complaining about the bathrooms, Patel said. But Subway will be checked out tomorrow and, if given the OK, will reopen Friday.
But students said 7-Eleven’s absence is the most noticeable.
“7-Eleven’s been an inconvenience,” said junior mechanical engineering major Roman Rachuba. “That’s where you go to get everything.”
A look inside the shuttered shop reveals new slushie and fountain drink machines, iced coffee machines, tile floors and more. The store expanded, too, by taking up some space previously occupied by the neighboring China Café, Warren said.
“It’s much easier for [China Café],” he said. “I think they had too much space, and they just kind of wanted to decrease their space. … It’s a win-win situation.”
China Café declined to comment on this change. 7-Eleven also plans to reopen Friday.
Cary Knox, of Knox Plumbing, which has been on the convenience store site since the renovations began, said all the old equipment was either trashed or given away.
“It looks like a brand new store,” he said.
The future of Campus Candy and Oh Nails, however, seems uncertain.
The new candy store, which announced its intent to open a branch in College Park in December, appears dark, unfurnished and without floors. Campus Candy manager Jerremy Deckard did not respond to requests for comment about the store’s progress.
The windows of Oh Nails are covered with blue tarp and brown paper. But no sign indicates whether the store, located at 7408 Baltimore Ave. next to Jimmy John’s, is staying or going.
“I can’t tell for sure,” Warren said. “I’m not sure if they’re renovating or if they’re in the process of moving out.”
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