By the first day of classes this fall, Radford University students, faculty, and staff will have new dining options to explore at Dalton Hall and the Bonnie Hurlburt Student Center.
Renovations are taking place in both locations this summer to enhance the dining experience.
At Dalton, Fairfax Street Subs is being replaced with a new barbecue concept called “Highland Smokehouse.” It will serve everyday favorites like pulled pork, smoked chicken, and mac and cheese with occasional specials such as brisket.
In the Bonnie Hurlburt Student Center — also known as the Bonnie — Pinkberry has been removed, and the space will be used for additional seating for diners. The area where Create was located will be occupied by Student Choice, a flexible, quick-service location that can be reconfigured based upon student feedback. Student Choice will begin the fall semester serving a taco menu with other menus to come throughout the year
Also in the Bonnie, the Au Bon Pain Express location is being replaced by Honeycomb Commons, a coffee and sweet shop featuring multiple coffee brands and nitro-brewed coffee. All of the coffee brands offered at Honeycomb Commons will be Virginia roasted. The shop will also offer Homestead Creamery ice cream and flavored milk, in addition to higher-end pastries and seasonal sweets.
James Perkins, director of University Services, said that dining is an area that is constantly monitored for customer satisfaction and these updates reflect the feedback the university has received.
“We are changing offerings to meet the needs of our customers because their expectations are continually changing and evolving,” Perkins said, adding that University Services has partnered with Chartwells Higher Education to determine the eating habits and preferences of the Radford community to try to predict what offerings best suit its needs. “We see providing quality dining options as part of the total college experience,” Perkins said.
The director of University Services also said he is excited about all of the new options and is sure students, faculty, and staff will find them exciting as well.
“If I had to pick just one of the new options I’m most excited about, I think it would be Honeycomb Commons,” Perkins said. “It features Virginia-based, small-to-medium businesses and brands that students may otherwise never experience.”
– Mark Lambert
Radford University
