SA Vendors equate poor sales to lack of students.  

The students are back but that has not equated to food sales. 

Student Association (SA) vendors at the George Brown College (GBC) Casa Loma campus have been seeing a lack of sales since coming back post-pandemic. This is something that is quite troubling for the newly reopened food services. 

Many programs continuing to offer remote classes – or students being shuffled between campuses – is forcing a sense of unease on vendors who are struggling with what they call a lack of students. 

“We are still struggling a lot because the number of customers is much lower than before. We are able to tend to about 20 to 25 per cent of pre-COVID customers… I think the students are not there in the class,” said Prit Patel, the operator of INS market. “Maybe the students are online because we don’t see a lot of traffic.” 

Although some of the vendors have additional avenues like third party delivery and a walk-in section, they say it does not account for even a fraction of the sales. 

“We came back in September, we were told there would be more students but right now there’s not enough students,” said Karim Dhalla, owner of La Dolce Vita. “It’s not like before COVID. When we opened in September, we were already busy.”  

Students who currently have in-person classes, however, have various reasons for not visiting these vendors. 

Ali Hamza said, “It is expensive for what it is because the portions are relatively small. The food tastes good but the price, for me, doesn’t sit right.” 

Concerns were also raised about the lack of options available for those with dietary restrictions.    

“I am vegetarian, so I mostly get veggie burgers. It would be nicer to have more variety of vegetarian options,” said Hearan Hearrenthran. 

When speaking about the lack of options for those with dietary restrictions, the owners said it is just not financially feasible for them. 

“We have some vegetarian options that are made to order, but as far as making a whole tray of vegetarian meals, we have tried it and it doesn’t sell. There are not enough vegetarian people coming in,” added Dhalla. 

Dhwani Bhalavat, former director of operations for the SA offered another perspective.  

“I think that post COVID, students got used to home cooked meals or they used to cook at home, so eating outside every single day or being on campus is an additional expense that students didn’t have to account for.”  

The SA supports these vendors by sourcing food from them during SA events.  

“Having some offers would definitely bring a greater number of students. It has to be affordable for vendors as well, but a $2, $3 or $5 meal would definitely gain more attention from students,” Bhalavat added. 

Attracting customers with promotions and combos are in the vendors’ plans.  

La Dolce Vita currently offers combo specials priced at $9.95. INS food market also has combos featuring beef, chicken, or veggie patties for $3. 

“We are working on a price point with our suppliers, so we can offer a better price to our students. But again, you know price inflation has changed everything,” said Patel. 

However, vendors are concerned that if the sales do not increase, they may not be able to sustain for long.  

“It’s very difficult to operate in this situation because we have a loan and we have rent to pay and salaries to cover, it’s not small amounts now,” said Patel. 

Dhalla also shared similar grievances.  

“Bring more students in the college. We need your support to stay in business. We work the hardest to give you good food and good service.” 

Vendors are located in the SA space of the Casa Loma E building. 

 Hours of operation may be different during the Spring/Summer semester.