Amongst my laboratory research I have had to navigate another difficult field, what to eat for dinner. I usually plan to cook for six days a week, but it was a bit difficult this week. I ran out of cold cuts on Saturday after I used the last of my cheese for my egg breakfast sandwich. However, this should not have been an issue since I was planning to go to the deli later in the afternoon to buy them for dinner. Unfortunately, the deli was closed since it closes at 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. I had to make due with some leftover bread and frozen vegetables for the night.
On Sunday, I was once again walked to the deli only to find that it was closed for two consecutive Sundays this month. My roommate and I were faced with the decision on where to buy food for a cheap price. I knew that I had free food at Qdoba, but even the chain restaurants close early in State College over the summer. The only places that seem to have reasonable hours are places that do not allow people under the age of 21 in to eat.
I am not a business major, but logically I feel that it would behoove a business that serves food to only diners over the age of 21 to get rid of this rule when Penn State is not in session for the fall or spring semester. I understand that during the school year dining bars should be restricted to people 21 years of age or older. It makes it much easier for the restaurant to monitor the diners and keep its service in line with the law.
However, it seems slightly foolish not to open the restaurant up to diners of all ages over the summer. Obviously, diners under the age of 21 would only be served food and/or non-alcoholic beverages. It seems unwise for a business to narrow the market for diners in its restaurant in an off-season like summer in a college town. Financially, opening the restaurant to people of any age would maximize profits in a season where most students are not on-campus.
Krista,
Faculty and staff feel the same way! At least i have a car and can access food not downtown. I’m sorry, i think it’s just so slow over break it’s not worth it for places to be open.
I do not get the under 21 thing, are these bar places?
Melissa,
I definitely agree that financially some restaurants should have shorter hours during the summer. The places I’m talking about are traditionally more like bars during the semester, but they also serve a diverse menu of food. Mad Mex is one of the places I am talking about. I have gone to a Mad Mex location in Philadelphia with my friends in high school when we were clearly under 21 years old, so it is not a national rule to not let people under the age of 21 in to the restaurant. In State College, they do not allow anyone under the age of 21 in the restaurant even during the day over the summer unless he or she is with a parent.
I feel like this is a financially unwise decision because all my friends and I want is food. This shouldn’t be an issue when there are many empty tables over the summer. It seems like the owners are unnecessarily narrowing their market over the summer. That’s just my take on it though. You are lucky you have a car to drive to different restaurants!
Best,
Krista