猫咪社区

Mala Noodles and health food shop In The Pink arrived on Thayer Street this summer, filling in the former Ganko Ittetsu Ramen and Pokeworks storefronts, respectively. Further up the street, signs in the former Blue State Coffee storefront read that , an Australian-inspired cafe, will be the space鈥檚 next occupant.聽

The former storefronts of Ayame Hibachi Express, Beatnic, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and Rev鈥檇 Indoor Cycling remain vacant. Over the past two years, businesses on Thayer have experienced great turnover and reported challenges with inflation and staffing.

With Mala Noodles and In The Pink opening in mid-June and mid-July, respectively, their owners have adapted their offerings to cater to the Thayer customer base.聽

In The Pink co-owner Chris Cancel said that the establishment is a 鈥渉ealth-focused restaurant serving acai bowls 鈥� smoothies; cold, fresh juice (and) protein shakes.鈥� Cancel picked the shop鈥檚 name because it means 鈥渋n very good health and spirits.鈥澛�

鈥淕oing up and down (Thayer) street, all you really see is 鈥� late-night heavy food,鈥� Cancel said. In The Pink is committed to using fresh fruits and vegetables to leave customers energized, he explained.

TK Quan, owner of Mala Noodles, explained that the restaurant is unique in the noodle experience that it offers. 鈥淥ur big concept is (that) you choose your own ingredients,鈥� he said.聽

He also discussed how mala seasoning has a spicy, numbing effect that makes their noodles 鈥渨ay different than any other noodles.鈥澛�

While Quan understands that many College Hill customers may be unfamiliar with mala, he wants Mala Noodles to provide a homey dining experience at a reasonable price.

Quan said that Mala Noodles has received a positive response from the community thus far. The restaurant鈥檚 soft opening is still ongoing, and Quan hopes that its grand opening will encourage more people to sample the food.

According to Cancel, In The Pink has also seen a warm welcome, especially with a growing social media following. There were 鈥渒ids from all over the world here 鈥� and it was really nice getting to know everybody,鈥� Cancel said. 鈥淲hen customers come in, (I) know them on a first-name basis.鈥�

Adapting to Thayer customers and a changing workforce

For Cancel, Thayer is 鈥渙ne of the best (locations) in the city.鈥� With a takeout business model, he believes that the shop鈥檚 location helps him reach college students 鈥� a demographic he said is accustomed to rapid service and the comforts of delivery.聽

Quan, who previously owned a Korean barbeque restaurant in Federal Hill, discussed how the target demographic varies, with Federal Hill clientele being older than Thayer customers. When Quan was planning his new restaurant, he shifted the business model to a 鈥渇ast-casual鈥� establishment.聽

Ayia Tatari, Manager of Abu Yarub Al-Shami, noted that regular influxes of new students mean people who are willing to try new things 鈥� and order from new establishments.

Although Abu Yarub Al-Shami has been on Thayer for two years, Tatari said her father, owner Amir Tatari, has seen Thayer change over the past 30 years. With many new openings, 鈥渋t鈥檚 definitely cool seeing new cultures come and bring their kind of food to the street,鈥� she said.聽

鈥淪omething that we really appreciate about being (on Thayer) is that you don鈥檛 have to be a long-standing business to be able to get customers because new students are coming in every year,鈥� Tatari said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like you鈥檙e starting fresh every year 鈥� we have an equal chance of being tried out (as) other places.鈥�

Tatari also described issues with staffing for businesses on Thayer. For the past two years, Tatari and her father have been the only two staff members. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been really difficult to find someone who is passionate about food,鈥� Tatari said. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 want to just bring anyone. We want someone who鈥檚 experienced (cooking) Middle Eastern food.鈥�

Quan mentioned that some employees from his Federal Hill establishment have come back to work at Mala Noodles, but the restaurant still faces staffing shortages.

In contrast to the staffing challenges faced by many Thayer businesses, In The Pink has received many employee applications, Cancel said. Overall, he agreed that staffing is generally a concern in the current economy, but he is hopeful about expanding the In The Pink franchise.聽

Quan said he hopes that Mala Noodles is a memorable experience that 鈥渞adiates good energy.鈥� Despite the challenges, Quan is optimistic about the future of Mala Noodles. 鈥淲e are improving right now,鈥� he said. 鈥淭oday is at least better by one point than yesterday.鈥�

Tatari discussed her excitement about changes on Thayer and meeting new customers. 鈥淚 really appreciate how the students here are open to trying new things,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think that鈥檚 what contributes to people being passionate and enthusiastic about opening a business from their culture (on Thayer).鈥�