Some Mount Pleasant businesses reduce staff to cope with lack of students in summer
Local business owners must account for fluctuating sales as students enter and exit town throughout the year, significantly altering their pool of customers.
The departure of CMU students remains a regular cause of slower operations, staffing cuts and reduced hours for several bars, restaurants and other establishments in the area.
Shift manager Rich Ryan said a drop in customers is quite noticeable, but business carries on at student-oriented restaurants such as Menna’s Joint, 1418 S. Mission St.
“Students still order — there are always people,” he said.
Between the spring and fall semesters at CMU, the Menna’s Joint workforce is cut by more than half, Ryan said.
The clientele at the Bird Bar & Grill, 223 S. Main St., consists of a steady mix of students and community members, said manager Melissa Burgtras. She said the establishment sees less of a hit to sales and attendance during the summer months because many customers remain.
“We maintain a lot of customers,” Burgtras said. “There are certain days when there are more students and certain days when there are more local business people.”
Thursday at the bar is most popular for students, while many locals are seen on Fridays, Burgtras said. She believes a lot of students remain in Mount Pleasant this season.
Brian Lombard, a manager for Chippewa Cab & Limo, 1608 N. Fancher St., said the service is well-diversified and includes airport, casino and medical transportation. The business still finds itself serving a fair amount of people in the summertime, mostly community members.
“With students gone, it hurts business all over town,” Lombard said.
Rubbles Bar, 112 W. Michigan St., hosts local musical talent on a weekly basis to attract customers.
The shows continue into the summertime, but make the shift to Friday and Saturday, rather than the Thursday and Friday performance schedule followed during the fall and spring semesters. Performing bands often hail from Mount Pleasant, but groups from outside of mid-Michigan have also performed at the bar.
Manager Melissa Gross said business is noticeably affected, but even those who are not CMU students still show up to support their favorite local artists.
“We have a lot of locals who come in to watch the bands,” she said. “The dynamics change a bit more.”
Live musical performances also continue at Kaya Coffee and Tea Co., 1029 S. University Ave. However, hours are reduced throughout the week, said manager Elly Cotton. Open Mic Night is not usually hosted between the spring and fall semesters.
“We see more community members, but we still see some students,” Cotton said.
Regardless of their products or services, many local business owners agreed students make up a large portion of Mount Pleasant’s customer base.
“Without a doubt, (CMU’s) Welcome Weekend is the busiest time of the year,” Ryan said.
