The Corp’s proposal to open a new café location in the Davis Performing Arts Center remains in the planning stages despite previous projections that the café would open in early 2010.

“We set out with an extraordinarily ambitious timeline in mind initially, and we quickly learned that projects of this magnitude simply can’t move forward that quickly,” Chief Operating Officer Brad Glasser (COL ’11) said in an e-mail. “We’re still in the stage of this venture where all of the progress happens with the many moving parts behind the scenes.”

According to Glasser, who will assume the position of chief executive officer on Monday, The Corp has been working with performing arts faculty to modify their original proposal so that it better meets the needs of the students, faculty and visitors who frequent the building.

“Since our proposal was selected, we’ve worked with the Davis Center faculty to determine how that vision translates into more particular aspects of the café. What should the lights look like? What sort of special events will we host? How will the café adjust to crowds on performance nights? These sorts of questions have kept us busy,” Glasser said.

Glasser described the café as something “totally new” for The Corp, meant to serve as a quality and affordable alternative to the existing dining options on campus.

“The menu is still being finalized, but this service will focus more on hot, substantial meals rather than just snacks or coffee,” he said in an e-mail.

The Davis Center contacted The Corp and several other well-known restaurateurs about a possible venue in February 2008. Competitive bidding began later that summer, and the proposal from The Corp was chosen soon after.

Representatives from the Davis Center could not be reached for comment.

any student responses to the new location have been positive. Sales Director for Mask and Bauble Dramatic Society Laurel Charnetsky (COL ’12) said that a Davis Center-based café would be beneficial for students active in theater and for theater patrons looking to eat before or after a show.

“Pretty much everyone I know in the theater community is excited for this,” Charnetsky said.

Some others are unsure of the details of the project and are more hesitant.

“I’m not sure where in the building they would put it,” Daniel Subak (COL ’12) said.

Glasser indicated that the café would cater to the theater community and its patrons, but also expressed a desire to reach students less involved in the campus theater programs.

“We’re hoping this service will transform the Davis Center into the cultural campus hub that it should be. So many students have no idea where this building is, despite the great atmosphere it provides. We’re hoping to let Georgetown’s best-kept secret out of the bag with this one,” Glasser said. “