UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Monday, August 18, 1997
3C
Local businesses cash in on students' return to Lawrence
Gale Garber / KANSAN
Cars, shoppers and business people crowd downtown Massachusetts Street on a warm summer day. The return of students each fall brings an estimated 30,000 clients back to the town.
Restaurants, stores open doors and cash registers to returning population
For area businesses, back to school means more than classes and books. It means a 30,000-person increase in potential clientele.
By Kirsten Havner
Kansan staff writer
"We try to do things that will bring students into the store," said Chris Zwiener, guest service manager for Hastings Books, Music and Video in the Southwest Plaza at 23rd and Iowa. "A lot of students have late fines from the spring. We don't want them to stay away from the store, so we offer specials that will allow students to receive credit for their late fines."
Alison Sherrill, St. Louis senior, said the inexpensive rates and wide selection drew her to Hastings.
"I usually rent my movies from Dillons just because it is closer," Shelby said. "Hastings has a great selection, but it is just too far away."
"They have such a wide range of movies," she said. "You can find the newest release or the classic favorite. It is all right there."
For other businesses, the change in clientele is not in their numbers but in their ages.
However, Stanton Shelby, Wichita senior, said location was an overriding factor when he chose where to rent
"During the summer, we see more of the older crowd who don't want to come in during the school year
where to rent movies
"Most of our employees are college students, so it brings everything to the same level,and students enjoy hanging out
here."
Matthew McCarty Quinton's Bar and Deli bar manager
because it is too crowded," said Matthew McCarty, bar manager at Quinton's Bar and Deli, 615 Massachusetts St.
Sherrill said that Quinton's was one of her favorite bars because they had good food, good drinks, and a down-to-earth, college atmosphere.
"Most of our employees are college students, so it brings everything to the same level, and students enjoy hanging out here," McCarty said.
Scott Renzue, Wichita senior, said he mostly avoided bars, but liked bars where he could relax.
"I'm not into the bar scene all that much," Renze said. "There always seems to be so much attitude in most of the bars. I want a place that is laid-back and a place where I can hang out with my friends and have a good time."
The challenge for most area businesses is knowing how to create an atmosphere in which students will want to spend their time and money.
Brenda Peterson, manager of Hair Experts Design Team, 2100 W. 25th St., said she saw some difference when the students left for summer.
Peterson said the atmosphere of her salon lured most of her clientele.
They always have coupons and specials that make things affordable," she said. "Plus, I really like mv stylist."
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Sherrill, St. Louis senior, said that she had been going to the salon for about two years.
"It is a whole bunch of little things put together. We have a modern atmosphere, and we want our clients to feel at ease and relaxed." Peterson said.
"You can just tell that they really enjoy our business and that they want us in their store," he said. "It is really great to be so welcomed."
Renze, Wichita senior, said she was amazed at how student-friendly most of the area businesses had become.
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