Oakland’s businesses looking for summer customers

Local business owners are trying to cater to a larger audience now that two-thirds of their… Local business owners are trying to cater to a larger audience now that two-thirds of their student clientele have left the city for the summer.

Georgia Petropoulos, the executive director of the Oakland Business Improvement District, said it’s hard to tell how the exodus of students will affect businesses. They should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, she said.

“Some businesses that have a higher student-customer base know to anticipate a drop,” Petropoulos said. “They may use the summer time to conduct inventory, renovations, etc. Other businesses do not see a drop but may see an increase if they have a more employee-based clientele.”

Restaurants, bookstores and clothing stores, she said, tend to cater more toward students than to other clientele.

Aaron Price, owner of Sorrento’s Pizza on Atwood Street, said his business can’t rely solely on student customers.

Last summer, 10,345 full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students took classes at Pitt, compared to 27,562 students in the fall.

“The thing about Oakland is that you want to acquire as much nonstudent business [as you can],” Price said. “That’s the stable business.”

Price said his restaurant will continue offering select discounts on food, like its $5-pizza deal, which is popular among college students.

John Hoenig, manager of Primanti Bros., said that during PittStart sessions, future students and their families visit the restaurant, but ultimately, “a lot of it depends on graduation.”

Hoenig did recognize a change in student traffic, but hasn’t had to make any business decisions based on this.

“I don’t anticipate a major change,” Hoenig said.

There are also more natural factors that businesses can use to attract existing and new customers.

Petropoulos said nice weather brings more outside customers to Oakland, despite the lower number of students.

Weather has less effect on other businesses — even those with University ties.

Maggie & Stella’s Cards & Gifts, a University-owned shop named after the first female Pitt graduates, may shorten its hours during the summer, along with making other changes.

Monica Rattigan, the store manager, said the shop might be “losing the opportunity” of not laying off student workers. This will depend on consumer traffic in the summer. During the school year, business traffic peaks during holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

Businesses like the 24-hour Rite Aid on Atwood Street cater to a more diverse consumer base.

Store assistant manager Matthew Snyder said Rite Aid’s large selection and convenience allow it to remain stable during the summer.

“We have a pretty decent mix of students,” Snyder said.

With some student employees leaving in the summer, Snyder said Rite Aid doesn’t have to lay off workers.

“We would have to cut down on payroll,” he said.

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