By this time next year, there may be more space for coffee drinkers to sit back, sip coffee and relax.
Both Oxley’s By the Numbers and Buck-I-Mart are in talks to determine whether they will expand.
“Both stores are doing very well and we are very satisfied,” said Helen DeSantis, assistant vice president of business operations for both establishments.
OSU Transportation and Parking is the landlord for both buildings.
Sarah Blouch, director for Transportation and Parking, said sub-dividing the Unicomp building and allowing Oxley’s to take over a portion is a possibility. If Buck-I-Mart expands, seating will be added to the old Transportation and Parking Express.
“T&P Express was convenient to pay parking tickets, but with its limited services, it wasn’t that practical,” Blouch said.
No plan for expansion has been finalized yet.
“If all goes well, we should start construction by spring break,” said Abby Hertzfeld, manager of Oxley’s. “We should know by the end of next week.”
Hertzfeld said if the project gets approved, the new section of Oxley’s will be a “Central Perk” atmosphere, with over-stuffed furniture and a more relaxed tone.
The new section will focus on selling coffee; sandwiches will be sold in the original section. The coffee shop will take cash and BuckID only. Little about the original Oxley’s will be changed.
Oxley’s is run by the Office of Student Affairs, but it has to pay for the expansion through its profits alone.
Since it opened in 1999, sales have increased dramatically.
The addition of JavaMaster and Buck-I-Mart’s renovation have not had a true impact on Oxley’s sales.
Next fall, Oxley’s menu will be drastically different.
“Of course we will keep all our coffee, but the food menu will be revamped,” Hertzfeld said.
If the renovation occurs, a new Oxley’s by the Numbers could be in place by fall quarter. There are no definite plans for Buck-I-Mart at this time.
