Papa John’s opening bumped to 2015

Story by Katie McGuire and Cristina Drey

Papa John’s is expected to open at the University of South Dakota by April 2015, despite plans to have the franchise fully operational in North Complex this fall, Dean of Student Affairs Kim Grieve said.

“An updated design and final reviews on the drawings has taken more time than anticipated, but everything is on target now for the new proposed completion date,” she said.

Being housed in the old Beede Bump, construction is set to begin in October and is projected to end in late March. It will not overspill into the hallways near the north door of the residence hall, Grieve said. Previously called the Beede Bump, the North Complex P.O.D. is a convenience store located in the old Commons area. The store is in the middle of all four residence halls.

“It’s going to be a great space but it takes time to get the planning and construction together,” she said. Grieve said she doesn’t anticipate any further conflicts that would push the project back even further.

Although it is a minor setback, hall directors were aware of students’ emotions in relation to the new addition.

“I know that everyone was really excited about Papa John’s coming,” said Trevor Gillespie, residence hall director of Beede/Mickelson Halls.

First-year Heath Nimke had heard Papa John’s was coming to USD before arriving to campus last week.

“I heard this summer in some of my classes and I was expecting it to be done but it wasn’t,” he said.

This will be the first Papa John’s franchise to open in Vermillion, and according to pizzashops.info there are nine other Papa John’s locations in the state.

Tyler Tordsen, Student Government Association president, said it will bring convenience to North Complex residents.

“I was in Mickelson and me and my friends used to order pizza all the time,” he said.

Although returning students knew about the newest restaurant-to-be on campus, there are some first-years who had never heard about addition until now, like Becca Whalen.

“I love Papa John’s, but I had no idea it was coming here,” she said.

With construction scheduled to begin soon, the excitement has begun to circulate, especially for residents of North Complex.

“Now that I know about it I’m excited it is coming,” said first-year Zach Renelt.