Two years ago, the Gus Mart in the Student Union closed, and students were given an opportunity to help decide what would happen with the space. Today, the former store remains unoccupied, and students are once again sharing their thoughts.

Syna Usi-Mendez, a third-year transfer student majoring in psychology, hopes that the university will collaborate with a business to bring either a coffee shop or a smoothie place to the vacant spot.

“I like Tropical Smoothie,” she said, adding, “It’d be very convenient to have it here on campus.”

“I just want something fun because I’m really sad the Gus Mart left,” said Kalen Brown, a junior radiologic sciences major who walks past the vacant spot regularly. “I don’t want them to make it something that nobody likes.”

“A few of my friends are actually talking about this, and it just sucks because the bookstore closes at 5 o’clock. The Gus Mart used to stay open until like 8 o’clock, and that was really nice if you wanted a last-minute snack or anything,” said Kalen.

Cheyanne Brosam, a senior English major at Armstrong, feels that moving the Gus Mart services into the bookstore was a bad idea.

“I would like it to go back to the way it was because, how it is now, it’s just kind of cramped,” she said. “If not that, then maybe another restaurant.”

Cheyanne worries Georgia Southern is neglecting the Armstrong campus considering the lack of progress.

“It does feel like things are kind of shutting down a bit, and that there are fewer things to do.”

After speaking with several students, the majority opinion is that the vacant spot should offer students more food options. Stay tuned for updates on the University’s plans and progress regarding the space.