University of Maryland finds low demand for takeout shop

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Because of low sales and a lack of customers, 251 Express, the take-out counter in the 251 North dining hall, will close after Thanksgiving break.

Michael Dunkelberg, chairman of the Residence Hall Association’s Dining Services Advisory Board, called 251 Express a “savior for unused 251 North swipes” before itsFebruary launch.

Before 251 Express’ inception, many North Campus residents complained they did not have time to go to the all-you-care-to-eat dining hall to use their allotted weekly swipe, said Dunkelberg, a sophomore bioengineering major. Students lose their swipe, valued at $18, after each Friday.

“Dining Services believed that a take-out option would be invaluable to those students who are always on the run,” Dunkelberg said.

He said the launch of 251 Express originally wasn’t advertised because DSAB members and Dining Services representatives believed workers would be overwhelmed by the rush of students taking advantage of the new dining station.

“We could not have been more wrong,” Dunkelberg said. “Even after months of advertising, the number of customers per day at 251 Express is only in the single digits.”

Rob Fahey, chef and general manager of 251 North, said the station’s failure disappointed him.

“We tried social media and everything, but still nothing,” Fahey said. “The numbers aren’t there. We thought we’d get over 100 or 150 people per week, and it’s nowhere near.”

Junior astronomy and communication major Lani Sasser, who used to work at 251 Express, said she was not surprised to learn it will be closing.

“The business was not consistent at all,” Sasser said. “Every once in a while [it] was busy, but most of the time we were dumping all of the extra food.”

On its busiest days, the station could receive about 30 customers, she said.

“With such low usage, the station is not worth the