About The Red and Black (Athens, Ga.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 12, 1981)
Thursday, November 12,1981 The Ked and Black Page5B Merchants like square, start wait for customers isn t a three-deck parking garage, but it isn’t small potatoes. That seems to be the general reaction of many downtown Athens merchants to the com pletion of College Square. While no one seemed to think the mall would immediately solve all of downtown’s problems, most thought it was a step in the right direc tion. Bob Russo, owner of Russo’s Gyro and The Grill, both on Broad Street just around the corner from College Square, said the project couldn’t hurt. "My business is bas ed, designed for pedestrian traffic,” he said. “The College Square can only enhance that situation. "I didn’t want them to close off that street. Downtown thrives on traffic, with cars and delivery trucks. I’m positive on College Square. It should be at tractive for the com munity.” Sandy Schwartz, owner of Sanford and Son, Ltd., agreed the $200,000 project im proved the looks of the area. "Beautification- wise, it came out superb,” he said. “It’s very lovely.” One of his com plaints, however, was the presence of a por table toilet, used during construction, when all the work had been done. “I think the outhouse ought be mov ed,” he said. Alice Lee Tanner, the manager of Schlotzsky’s Sandwich Shop across the street from Sanford and Son. said she had "always thought it would be a good idea.” She said much of the shop’s business is walk- in trade from Universi ty students, so that the possibility for increased sales was there. “It cer tainly wouldn’t hurt,” Ms. Tanner said. Hank Rosenthal, the owner of Rosenthal’s Shoes, a downtown Athens retail landmark, said the mall would pro- Plans For Tonight: 7:30 Pep Rally Root the Dogs past Auburn toward the SEC Championship! UGA Pep Band Cheerleaders Players & Coaches Harry Dog Moonlight Madness Sale until 9:00pm tonight Register for a ride in the Hot Air Balloon at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies. Drawing at the Pep Rally. COLLEGE From page 4 the matching of historic events from the history of Athens to coincide with the 18 trees planted in the square. Brass plaques at each tree and at either end of the mall will provide a quick history lesson for residents as well as tourists, Burnett said. Burnett said he hopes the work on the mall will increase student in terest and traffic to the mall area as well as the rest of downtown. The Lucy Cobb Trolley, a wheeled vehicle redone in the style of brass and wood from the turn of the century, is designed to help students get downtown for lunch or a quick shooping spree and get them back to campus in a short time, he added. Burnett said he would like to see a few more restaurants in the mall area. Also in the future for the square are periodic music concerts starting in the spring. Incredible FALL , \ SALE 1 Last 3 days Thursday • all C.S. Lewis books — 20% off Friday and Saturday All Children's Books 20% off OTHER BARGINSUPTO 70% off
