March 24, 2010. Retrieved online: March 24, 2010, from Amanda L. Husson, Las Cruces Sun-News
LAS CRUCES – If it seems a little quieter around Las Cruces – fewer cars on the road, shorter lines at the store – you probably have spring break to thank for that, especially in the area near New Mexico State University.
More than 36,000 students, faculty and staff at the main Las Cruces campus and Doña Ana Community College are on break this week, and while there are a few people still around campus, studying or working, the walkways and buildings at NMSU are nearly empty. For some businesses near campus, the annual exodus of the NMSU population for a week in March means a significant drop in the volume of customers.
“I’d say it cuts out 40 percent of the business, at least,” said Eric Elsberg, owner of DG’s Deli. The deli, located at Solano Drive and University Avenue, directly across from the center of campus, is popular with students and staff, especially during lunchtime.
“It’s pretty quiet on campus,” Elsberg said. “The campus police usually get their food to go, but they have plenty of time to sit down and eat right now.”
He said there is still business from the campus, though.
“Luckily, there’s a lot of workers, and since the cafeteria is closed, they’re coming in,” he said. “We’re getting a lot of maintenance workers.”
Many campus restaurants, including those in the Frenger Food Court, are open for breakfast and lunch during spring break, but Taos Restaurant, the cafeteria in Corbett Center Student Union, is closed, according to the NMSU’s Website.
Students make up a majority of business at Milagro Coffee Y Espresso, also on University Avenue, but manager Sarah Lujan said there are still plenty of regulars who continue to come in during the break.
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