Winter break cools sales

During winter break, businesses in the UCF area go without the steady influx of students that they depend on for much of their financial security.  Among these businesses, some absorb the economical blow better than others.

According to Chau Phai, the owner of Yogurtopia, his business has fared poorly during the break. Phai said that once the semester ended, his sales dropped an estimated 70 percent.

"We have to accept this slow time for about a month and a half, and we just have to wait for students to come back," Phai said. "Also, people don't eat yogurt much when it's cold outside."

Yogurtopia closed for the holidays on Dec. 24 and will reopen Jan. 4.

Mike Cuccarese, the owner of Silver Mine Subs on the corner of Alafaya and University, said his business has suffered similarly during break. Cuccarese has seen a 60 percent drop in sales during these weeks, compared to 20 percent last year.

"The main thing is the downturn in the economy," Cuccarese said. "The kids still don't have jobs, and most of them go home because they have no reason to stay."

Cuccarese also said that Siemens employees, whom Silver Mine relies on for much of their lunch business, are off work for the week making it even more difficult for the business to bring in customers during break.

"Companies close down right now because it's more cost-effective for them," Cuccarese said.

According to Cuccarese, Silver Mine sees most of its winter break business between the hours of 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.

"Most restaurants are closing down early now, so by us staying open late we end up trapping that business," Cuccarese said.

Paula Phipps, the owner of Natura Tea and Coffee, said that the majority of her customers also come in during night hours.

"I don't charge a cover, because it's such a popular place to come and listen to music at nights," Phipps said.

Phipps said that despite the regular appearance of night-time clientele, Natura is still suffering a 30 percent decrease in sales while students are away.

To bring in new customers, Phipps is currently offering deals such as buy-one, get-one free Boba teas and half-price hookah until 7 p.m.

"Since May of this year, we're down significantly every month from 2009, and the only thing that I can put it down to is that students don't have as much money this year," Phipps said. "My challenge for 2011 is to have students to start spending again, or else we aren't going to survive."

The general manager of Deko Lounge, Mike Perez, was not sure what to expect this winter when students went home for the holidays.  Deko opened last January, and the club had yet to experience the lag in sales that comes with winter break.

According to Perez, however, the business has fared well during these past few weeks.

"During the holidays, everybody goes out —  even people that don't normally," Perez said. "We're seeing new faces."

Perez said he has been finding ways to bring these new customers in to compensate for the lack of student business.

"It's our first winter break open, so we're seeing what works," Perez said. "Depending on the night, we lower the cover charge, or waive cover completely."

Broadway Pizza co-owner Richard Koller also said he was pleased by the winter break turn-out.

"Initially, there's a couple of weeks where the business slows, but we have so many young people that come back to visit families from other universities that it doesn't seem to drop off as much as you would think," Koller said. "We're busy from 2 p.m.  through 5 p.m. even during the holiday season. Maybe everyone's sick of turkey."

According to Koller, this afternoon rush can be attributed to their "dollar-a-slice" deal. From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. patrons can come in and order a slice of cheese pizza for a dollar. Dollar beers are also available all day, every day.

"2009 was terrible, the whole year-but it's picked up this year. Everybody seems to have a positive outlook," Koller said.  "Frankly, I think the economy is getting better.  If you have good food, you cheapen it up and give people a good deal, you become a little more competitive."