UW-La Crosse Campus Not a Large Draw for Businesses

The UW- La Crosse campus is not known for is being a large draw for businesses. There are only a few businesses-- a few fast food places, a gas station, bars, restaurants, and coffee shops.

There have been rumors in the past among students that the university's food service contractor keeps businesses away.

However, Mary Beth Valhala, the associate director of University Services, says, "food services has exclusive rights on-campus, and it is stated clearly in the contract."  This is how it is for any campus in the UW System that with a contract.  Valhalla says that according to the no competition clause, Chartwells, the current food service provider, or whoever is contracted to provide food services at UW-La Crosse, cannot prevent another vendor from setting up business near campus.

Chartwells does have a say in vendors allowed on campus, such as Peet's Coffee and Red Mango.  When deciding to fill those locations, Chartwells picked the options to present to students, and from there students were able to choose.

There are exceptions to this rule, with those being the general concession stands at the stadium and Mitchell Hall and food provided at the Center for the Arts.  All other departments, offices, and organizations on campus must cater meals from Chartwells for food provided for an event.

Still, not all students at the university have a meal plan, and so there could be more option off campus.  Valhalla says that this could be because there hasn't been the right mix; either the right options haven't been found for the students or students may be happy with their options.

"A restaurant would probably do well if they provided both sit-down and delivery services.  Students seem to eat at places that have that option," Valhalla said.

The meal plan may play a large part in businesses not coming closer to campus, but there is another reason.

According to TJ Brooks, professor and chair of the economics department, it's an issue of economic geography.  There is not enough traffic to justify a business starting close to campus.

"Students are locked in to a meal-plan or they don't have a lot of money to spend.  There is more traffic downtown and that's why you see more businesses down there," says Brooks.  Students are going to use the meal plan that they have already paid for more frequently than paying $4.50 for a sandwich too. The exclusivity of the food services contract does help to control near-campus competition though, he says.