Eat-Good-Notes

Tim Spears and a handful of summer students finished up a preliminary meeting on Friday about the possibilities for a a new student social space located in downtown Middlebury (at the old Eat-Good-Food location). Overall the meeting was productive but it is still unclear as to what niche the space might fill. Take MiddBlog’s entirely-unscientific pol/survey at the top of our home page: http://middblog.blogspot.com! Got idea: comments or spears@middlebury.edu.

Here are some highlighted notes from the meeting (thanks to Karen White):

• What should we do to accommodate the town if the College uses this space?
• Could we use the space for local teens and high school students as well?
• How could Middlebury students benefit from the space?
• Is there a possibility of obtaining a liquor license? Yes, but it must be open to the public.
• Could a site license be given? Yes
• What would the capacity be? 100+ – not sure
• Could there be dancing in the space? Yes
• Students like the idea of having Dolci three or four nights a week and open to the town.
• Students were wondering if they would be paid to work in the kitchen.
• Possibly using the cooking program at the high school and bring in other outside groups.
• Liked the idea of an ice cream shop – Gelato.
• Possibly move WRMC to downtown
• Focus on dancing with DJ’s – careful not to copy Angela’s
• Consider having bands and DJ’s every weekend.
• Students expressed concern about close competition with Mr. Ups and Angela’s – take a closer look at what is needed and what we currently don’t have.
• Students liked the idea of being off-campus – new space interaction with local town peoples a plus.
• Liked the idea of a non-institutional feel – more options for students
• Students wondered if it would be open during the day. Students liked the idea of high school students using the space – keen interest in mingling with town people.
• Possibly have Open Mics
• Acappella concerts
• Looking for a versatile space to switch from dances to culinary etc.
• Community Center
• Daytime workshops
• Suggested a wine bar with meats and cheeses
• Expressed concern that the cost should be kept down to so it is available to all
• Partnership with town is very important
• Coordinate Midd Ride transportation to the location
• Have non-alcoholic drinks available—critical to have a space where the over-21s and under-21s can socialize
• Should students run or program the space? Several students voiced concern that it would be hard to coordinate with the town.
• The Grille, the Gamut room and this new space should fill specific niches, like dishes on an a la carte menu, and not be overlapping with each other and taking away each other’s frequenters.

TAKE THE MIDDBLOG POLL ABOVE and VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE OPTION!