New campus cafe in Morris Library Commons

UD's newest eatery, Bleecker Street will offer members of the UD community scrumptious baked goods and sandwiches in a cozy contemporary setting that celebrates the café culture of New York City's Greenwich Village.

University community members who come to the grand opening will have chances to win prizes and giveaways, including a 26-inch bicycle, free iTunes gift certificates and Bleecker Street T-shirts. Customers also may enter to win the grand prize: a free weekly pass for a customer and friend for the rest of the fall semester, valued at $125.

Nestled in the site formerly occupied by the European Bistro, Bleecker Street features freshly baked artisan breads, pastries, sweets and other baked goods. Also on the menu are signature sandwiches, including paninis, made with premium meats, cheeses and fresh vegetables, as well as seasonally inspired soups and salads.

With the ambience of a New York-designed loft that combines a hip retro look with unique design elements, Bleecker Street is a nice place to stop and take a break from the hustle and bustle of campus life, Sue Bogan, director of dining services, said.

“Bleecker Street is a fun destination that creates a sense of community at the University,” Bogan said. “The relaxed environment is ideal for dining or studying.”

Bleecker Street is served by a new state-of-the-art oven, while the décor coordinates soft seating with sharp-looking wall graphics that complement the newly painted walls and new carpeting.

The bakery-style setting represents a new concept for ARAMARK, and is the result of a survey of students, faculty and staff from four-year universities across America, Bogan said.

“The students surveyed rated the bakery-style concept high in appeal, and more than 75 percent of the respondents indicated that they were likely to purchase items at Bleecker Street,” Bogan said. “The coming of Bleecker Street has been positively met by the UD Library administration and the UD community in general. We look forward to spearheading this exciting new branded food concept.”

The Bleecker Street concept was developed at ARAMARK's Innovation Center, and the installation at UD was customized for the Morris Library Commons.

A leading provider of food and support services to colleges, universities and preparatory schools, ARAMARK serves over 200 million meals annually to students, faculty and visitors at over 400 institutions. ARAMARK provides residential dining and retail operations such as convenience stores, coffee kiosks, late-night eateries and branded restaurants.

For more information on Bleecker Street, visit [www.udel.edu/dining/].

Article by Jerry Rhodes

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