Students not affected by closing of area stores

The face of Nassau Street — and the surrounding area — has changed this school year with the closing of the Rusty Scupper and Sam Goody and the opening of a new location for the Carousel restaurant.

However, these changes have had only limited effects on the dining and shopping patterns of most University students.

The Rusty Scupper, a steak and seafood restaurant located on Alexander Street, closed its doors in January. The large, two-story restaurant and bar had been a popular community meeting place since its opening in the 1970s. Despite its local success, the business was forced to close its doors due to problems with lease renewal.

While the Rusty Scupper's closing surprised and dismayed many townspeople, it had little effect on University students.

Lindsey Huddle '07 and Jessica Ajoux '07 said they had never heard of the restaurant, and Lisa Rasmussen '04 and Tom Murray '04 said that while they had both heard of the Rusty Scupper, neither of them had ever eaten there.

Sam Goody, a Nassau Street music store, also closed in December. The store's parent company, Musicland Group Inc., decided to close 150 Sam Goody and Suncoast Motion Picture Company stores across the nation.

Sam Goody may be replaced by Ricky's Candy, Cones and Chaos, a candy, ice cream and party store. The business' co-owners, Rick Barber and Charles Alario, are currently awaiting approval from the Princeton Regional Planning Board to open the store, according to an article in The Princeton Packet.

Ajoux said that while she had never shopped at Sam Goody during her first semester, it was convenient as an option for music shopping. Now she usually shops for music online.

Murray said he was unaffected by Sam Goody's closing because he preferred the Princeton Record Exchange's lower prices.

The Carousel, a diner on Nassau Street since 1955, moved to a larger location closer to the center of town in August.

Rasmussen, who occasionally eats at the Carousel, said she was pleased with the new restaurant because there is more space and less waiting time.

University students have varying contact with area businesses; some students shop or eat off-campus regularly, while others hardly ever do so. A majority of students seem to frequent a few favorite stores and restaurants but rarely go to others.

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"I go up [to Nassau Street] a lot to eat or to get coffee," Murray said, adding that he enjoys getting a meal outside of his eating club sometimes.

"I won't go to the clothing stores, though," he added. "They're too expensive, and I'm not stylish enough to shop on Nassau Street."

The high prices are a common reason students on limited budgets avoid many Nassau Street shops. Ajoux added several more reasons of her own: "I have no time, ever. I have enough clothes and I'm not a big fan of the stores."

"I hardly go shopping on Nassau Street at all," she said. "I've been to Gap maybe twice."

However, some students are enthusiastic about the shopping in town. Huddle, who said she "probably [shops] more than most," goes to Nassau Street often and named Zoe and J. McLaughlin as her favorite stores.

Some stores and restaurants are particular student favorites. Winberie's, a restaurant and bar in Palmer Square, enjoys the frequent patronage of students.

As a sponsor of the University's student basketball fan organization, the Jadwin Jungle, the restaurant has hosted students before basketball games, offering free appetizers to an often overflowing crowd.

Huddle and Ajoux both named Winberie's as one of their favorite restaurants. They, as well as Rasmussen and Murray, also praised Starbucks.

Hoagie Haven, CVS, Sakura Express and Panera Bread are popular with students as well.