Woody’s Tavern is located in the Ohio Union. It is set to be closed daily until 3 p.m. for the foreseeable future because $64,000 in kitchen renovations are running behind schedule.
Credit: Ritika Shah / Asst. photo editor
Woody’s Tavern in the Ohio Union is set to be closed daily until 3 p.m. for the foreseeable future because $64,000 in kitchen renovations are running behind schedule.
The renovations, which include the installation of three new ovens, were started during winter break and slated for completion before students returned for Spring Semester. Changes to the location of the ovens resulted in delays, said Dave Isaacs, spokesman for Student Life.
Isaacs said limiting the hours of operation is necessary to allow the contractors to get work done in the most efficient and timely manner.
“There isn’t a firm completion date, but we hope to go back to our regular schedule before mid-February,” Isaacs said.
The new pizza ovens are set to allow Woody’s to offer a better product and expand their menu with the addition of subs and stromboli, Isaacs said, adding that the new location is set to allow for more efficient food production.
“We expect to recoup the money (spent on the renovations) and more through the expanded menu items,” Isaacs said.
Woody’s hours of operation have been restricted since the beginning of the semester, and Woody’s is using convection ovens to make pizza available after 3 p.m. until the renovations are complete.
Regular hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday from 1 to 10 p.m.
First-year in journalism Alex Abel said she was disappointed when she arrived at the Union to find Woody’s closed.
“Since Woody’s was closed, we had to wait in a huge line at the Union Market because it was snowing out and we couldn’t go anywhere else,” Abel said Jan. 17.
First-year in dance Olivia Tschantz said the temporary hours at Woody’s are inconvenient for her.
“I have my lunch break (from classes) around noon and being a freshman, it’s frustrating that I can’t use my blocks till later in the day,” Tschantz said.
Isaacs said he doesn’t think the schedule issue will significantly impact business because Woody’s tends to be at its busiest after 3 p.m.
Student workers at Woody’s declined to comment but Isaacs said no one involuntary lost working hours during this process.
