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When students left Washington and Lee University for Washington Break on Feb. 17, another step in the campus evolution began with the renovation of the dining venues located in the John W. Elrod Commons. This project represents the largest adjustment to the campus dining experience since the Commons was constructed some 20 years ago.
“The Marketplace and Café 77 venues have not seen any significant updates since the Commons opened,” said K.C. Schaefer, executive director of auxiliary services at W&L. “We’ve gone from serving 8,000-9,000 meals per week in 2000 to nearly 35,000 meals per week in 2023. This renovation will meet the increased demand by expanding our seating capacity and improving the flow and experience for our diners. We’ll also update the venues’ aesthetics to a more timeless look.”
The project will be completed in two phases – one focusing on renovating the indoor spaces and a second that will add additional seating to the Marketplace and includes expansion of the outdoor patio areas. In the short term, members of the W&L campus community should expect several changes to the dining options. Most notably, the Marketplace and Café 77 will be taken offline in the first phase of the project. Schaefer communicated this information and the short-term solutions to the campus community in December.
For the balance of this academic year, Schaefer noted that Evans Dining Hall will serve most of the meals typically provided in the Marketplace and Café 77; however, Evans has approximately two-thirds the seating capacity of the Marketplace. As a result, nearly all of the dining facilities on campus will offer more generous hours and increased access for students.
Diners will not be the only parties affected by the renovations. Evans has served as the university’s primary event and catering space, as well as the kitchen that produces the university’s baked goods and provides food preparation for other dining facilities on campus.
W&L will compensate for this operational change by leasing the former Country Cookin’ restaurant located on U.S. 11 near Rockbridge Country High School. The leased space will serve as the university’s temporary kitchen for baking and food prep, along with catering operations. Special events that had been held in Evans will also be affected. A special events tent will be erected on Canaan Green to handle these occasions until Evans is once again available for special events.
“The tent will have a floor and will be completely covered, allowing for a viable event space while Evans supports campus dining,” said Schaefer. “There are already more than 40 events booked in the tent, and we have confidence it will effectively meet our programming needs in the short term.”
Phase one is expected to be completed by the start of fall term 2023, allowing the campus community to dine in the renovated Marketplace and Café 77 venues.
The second phase of the renovation is expected to begin during the summer of 2023 and will significantly expand the indoor and outdoor seating options. Further information about the second phase will be communicated this spring.
More information about these and other necessary updates that will occur on campus over the next several years can be found in the W&L master plan.
OUTDOOR SEATING is to be expanded at Elrod Commons in the second phase of renovations of the W&L dining venues.
