PFW sampling food options at Student Housing on the Waterfield Campus

Purdue University Fort Wayne students living in Student Housing on the Waterfield Campus will soon have new meal options close to home. The Crave will open soon at Cole Clubhouse in the evenings, offering students a variety of cuisines, according to Marcus Weemes, executive director of Housing and Dining Services.

“There will be three options that will be served,” Weemes said. “It could have a burger menu, a Mediterranean option, or a ramen station. And then each month we will replace one option with something different so that there’s a variety and to keep things fresh.”

The rotations may feature options like pizza, Italian, barbecue, or Mexican. Vegetarian and vegan options will also be available.

Plans for The Crave started more than a year ago, and the Purdue Board of Trustees approved the contract in December. Construction has already begun. The plan, Weemes said, is to launch a soft open right before the spring semester ends so the operation will be fully prepared and operational when the fall semester begins.

“The goal is to provide food options closer to where students live and to serve them on nights and weekends when we do not have other options on campus,” Weemes said. “One of the things I like about this is it also provides an opportunity for a more lively residential experience when students are eating in the clubhouse together or taking it back to their rooms. They want things close in proximity so they can eat with people they know.”

The proposed hours would be from 4 p.m. to 10 or 11 p.m. The Crave is part of a national restaurant chain and will be run by Fresh Ideas, PFW’s dining services provider, similar to Einstein Bros. Bagels in Kettler Hall. This also provides opportunities for student employment.

Weemes said there will also be exploration for options with The Crave providing for students who remain on campus during extended academic breaks.

“We understand there are a lot of students that have food insecurities on campus, and this will help reduce issues for students,” Weemes said. “We have been revamping and adding to our meal plan program as part of what students get when they live in student housing, to combat some of those food insecurities that we see on campus.

“This is one step in a long-range plan to, in the future, continue to add additional dining locations and venues as well as develop pricing so that it’s fiscally responsible and attainable by students.”

A restaurant will not open at The Trace, but Weemes said there will be a convenience store to provide food options.