 "Photo: Olga Deshchenko")
As dinner time approaches on a rainy evening, students reluctantly give in to the demanding growls of their stomachs and set out on an unpleasant walk to the Dining Commons. However, the residents of McNamara have the option of avoiding getting wet and still enjoying a tasty meal by simply heading down to the basement of their building. The bright, soft blue hallway leads students to a small, but cozy eatery, The Sylvan Snack Bar.
In the corner next to the tables, a television set is showing "That 70s Show." For those seeking another form of entertainment while eating or waiting for food, a variety of magazines are also available. Like a successful fusion of a kitchen and a comfortable living room, the Sylvan Snack Bar provides a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere for its customers. And as for the food, to call it a "Snack Bar" is almost misleading: the multiplicity of food choices exceeds this eatery's modest name by far.
"We offer a variety of food including cold cut, veggie and breaded chicken subs, pizza bagels, garlic bread, pretzels, wraps, salads, ice cream and quesadillas," said Co-Manager Stephanie Hovagimian. "Although some of our food comes frozen and fully cooked, we prepare everything on site with our microwave, oven, crock pots and quesadilla makers."
Out of the eight student-run food businesses on campus, the Sylvan Snack Bar is the oldest, having opened its doors to customers in 1971. It is a non-profit business that is entirely student managed and operated. The Sylvan Snack Bar and other student-run businesses on campus have consultants, but they do not have co-manager status. The consultants create the budget and help with finance management, according to Hovagimian.
The Sylvan Snack Bar currently employs 12, full-time UMass undergraduate co-managers who find their involvement with the eatery to be worthwhile and rewarding.
"I love being part of a student-run business. It is such a great experience and has helped me better understand what running a business is all about," said Co-Manager Jenna Ranker. "We each have our roles that contribute to the wellness of the Sylvan Snack Bar, such as marketing committee and purchasing committee, and so much more. We have grown as a business and also as friends," she added.
The Sylvan Snack Bar is a favorite amongst many students who regularly step in for a delicious snack or meal. The employees of this student-run business not only try to satisfy their customers' taste buds, but also strive to offer them a fun place to hang out.
"We really value and try to create a friendly, community-based atmosphere at the Snack Bar," said Hovagimian. "We really want the Snack Bar to be a place where our peers can come not only to eat but to see their friends and relax at the end of the day."
The loyal fans of sandwiches and other snacks are gladly rewarded with promotions, such as the Sub Club Card and the soon arriving Frequent Buyer Card. A suggestion box also has its place next to the magazines where customers can leave a note with their thoughts on the Sylvan Snack Bar.
With the wide array of food items available, new customers might find themselves wondering what to try first. Co-Manager Tal Baron said this eatery is most known for its "world-famous" quesadillas.
"They [quesadillas] range in style from cheese, chicken, vegetable, barbeque or buffalo chicken so there is something for everyone," said Baron. "All quesadillas come with sour cream and salsa."
Always looking for ways to improve and expand the available meal options, the Sylvan Snack Bar is adding Pepperoni Pizza and a Meat Lovers' quesadilla to their menu. The Red-Sox themed Green Monster quesadilla, which will include lettuce, cucumbers, green peppers and jalapeños, is sure to be a hit once it finds its place on the menu.
The Sylvan Snack Bar does not just provide great food alternatives to its customers, but also allows a group of full-time undergraduate students to gain valuable experience in the art of running a small business.
"The major thing that sets us aside from other businesses," said Hovagimian, "is that we all have the same status: co-manager. We don't have a boss; instead, we have the dot-star committee which is responsible for holding co-managers accountable for failing to complete certain tasks or for going above and beyond what was expected of him or her," she explained.
Whether students head down to the Sylvan Snack Bar for the funky lighting, the entertaining reading material or the smell of appetizing food, customers are always welcome to hang out, eat or chat.
The Sylvan Snack Bar is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. It offers a YCMP menu and delivers to the Sylvan and North residential areas.
Olga Deshchenko can be reached at odeshche@student.umass.edu.
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