Spring Break
Local businesses make do with a struggling economy
Akela Yarn
Issue date: 6/10/09 Section: News
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Some businesses have limited their staffing through lay-offs, hiring freezes or restrictive hiring. Many on-campus summer jobs are reserved for summer work-study students. Cassie Stultz, a psychology major and Spanish minor at ECU, has been a bookseller at Barnes and Noble for two years. She and her co-workers feel the effects of the economy and slowed business.
"Hours have downsized, there are one or two less hours for each employee per shift, meaning less hours for each of us and more competition among the employees," said Stultz.
But some businesses are doing well even though most of the students have left Greenville for the summer. Diviney's, a family-owned pizzeria in Winterville, has seen a 25 percent increase in sales despite the absence of students. Richard Fortenberry, owner of Diviney's, focuses business on the school's faculty and staff to prevent the financial effects that can occur because of extended breaks from school. Fortenberry credits the increase in business to word-of-mouth.
"We do not offer a student discount but offer a lunch combo priced lower than fast food place, people want lunch quick and at a low price." The special includes two slices of pizza and a large drink for $3.99 or you can get a salad for a dollar more, compared to other sit-down restaurants where a side salad can cost almost $6.
Bruegger's Bagel on Greenville Boulevard is a bagel shop and café. It opened last August and is experiencing the effects of students leaving for the summer.
"Business has dropped off an extreme amount. Students made up most of the business from after one until closing. Many student groups also met here and took advantage of the free Wi-Fi," said Stacy West, assistant manager of Bruegger's.
West said they have had to find ways to maximize profit, which means re-evaluating operations.
To make up for the loss, the store has had to cut back on staff as well as close an hour earlier. To make-up for lost profit, Bruegger's will be sponsoring two little league teams. They are also working closely with the hospital to incorporate more of the community. When students do return for the fall, Bruegger's will continue to promote their "student-friendly" atmosphere with discounts and promotions.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site, the unemployment rate from March to April has gone down from 10.5 to 10.1, almost half of a percent. The employment rate has gone up by 1.4 percent from 79.8 to 81.1 percent.
This writer can be contacted at tecnewseditor@gmail.com.
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