Sbarro to accept meal plan after renovations

A few big changes are coming to a decade-old West Virginia University Mountainlair restaurant.

According to Mountainlair officials, Sbarro is closed for renovations until the fall.

The Italian restaurant Sbarro, which has been serving students for nearly 10 years, is officially becoming a West Virginia University entity.

This means Sbarro will now accept meal plan credits.

"The primary reason we’ve gone on this route was to put it on the meal plan," said Michael Ellington, associate vice president for Student Affairs and director of the Mountainlair student union.

Sbarro was the only restaurant in the Mountainlair to not accept meal plans, confusing many students, Ellington said.

"Students are very discouraged when something isn’t on the meal plan," he said. "When it’s the only restaurant that isn’t on the meal plan, they’ll constantly ask why."

In addition, Sbarro will be receiving updated equipment, including expanded pizza ovens, electronic menu screens and, according to Ellington, a visual overhaul.

"We’re gonna give it a fresh look," he said.

Renovation is expected to take approximately 13-16 weeks, from bidding to demolition and construction.

According to University sources, the renovation is designed to improve service for the students.