The wait is over! Iggy’s, the popular late-night dining spot, will be returning to campus for the spring semester. The restaurant will feature a new paint job, decorations and plenty of space for students to hang out with one another.
Iggy’s was originally shut down due to the pandemic, specifically the subsequent indoor dining restrictions. It took on a new life and location when it was moved next to the dining hall for the 2020-21 school year: Iggy’s became a small hole in the wall where students could order food on their phones and come and pick it up.
This then evolved into The Pick Up Spot. However, as COVID-19 restrictions seemingly begin to lift, Iggy’s will be returning to its previous location above the Penfold Gereis Fitness Center.
In order to get students excited and experiment with times, Chartwells is holding a series of events throughout the next few weeks in Iggy’s. The hope is to introduce freshmen and sophomores to Iggy’s and to welcome juniors and seniors back to the space. These events are held on different days and different times in order to see what days and times will be the most popular among the student population.
Each event will feature free food and entertainment. From watching cartoons in your pajamas to cheering on the Bills while enjoying some pizza and wings, it is not only an excellent chance to see the space but also an opportunity to meet new people and relax with some friends.
Aaron Abruzzino, the marketing manager for Dining Services, is excited about introducing Iggy’s to younger students who never received the opportunity to experience the restaurant. A former Canisius student himself, he remembers enjoying Monday night Bills games with his friends in Iggy’s.
He said that, while the space will be opening for the spring semester, the new Iggy’s menu may not be rolled out until spring break. “The plan is next semester that pickups are going to move up there while they finish getting the equipment to start a new menu,” Abruzzino said.
Students will be able to pick up their meals and sit in the space to enjoy them, a different concept from the current pick-up spot, where there is little to no seating.
While there are no concrete plans yet, Abruzzino also hopes to see the mobile-ordering option stick around for students. He also remembers that Iggy’s used to have a take-out option, which would be helpful for students who would just like to pick up their meal and get back to studying.
The future of The Pick Up Spot is currently unknown. Once the new Iggy’s menu is developed and pushed out, it is unclear whether The Pick Up Spot will stay. Due to staffing shortages, Abruzzino says that hours may differ or change in order to accommodate the busiest times for students.
Right now, there are no plans for a large re-opening event next semester; however, Abruzzino said that may change. “Right now we want to get through these little five ones and just kind of gauge time and everything,” Abruzzino said. “We've talked to Dale about maybe having a rough draft menu together, maybe we do like a little sampling up there.”
While many of the fine details are still up in the air, one thing is for certain: Iggy’s is coming back, and it’s going to be better than ever.
Comments