Univesity annexes Explorers Den

By Frank Visco
Collegian Editor
November 14, 2007

In the continuing attempt to develop and cultivate West Campus, La Salle purchased two properties Nov. 1 for an undiscolosed price, including the building that formerly housed Explorers Den Steaks and Hoagies, Inc. Although Explorers Den has been closed, University officials say they are committed to reopening a restaurant at the site.

According to Rose Lee Pauline, Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs, the University decided to purchase 2160 W. Olney Ave. and 5665 E. Wister Ave. after becoming aware that the former owner, Alexandros Apsis, was planning to sell.

“The school is in a position to care about the neighborhood, to serve in its best interest,” Pauline said. “Considering that, and the fact that we had the resources to make a deal, we purchased the property.”

In an announcement released Nov. 9, the Business Affairs office indicated that meetings with potential restaurant partners are underway. Pauline said the University is hoping to rent out the restaurant space, but if a partner cannot be found, the University will establish its own restaurant franchise.

Regardless of which possibility occurs, one condition of any arrangement will be the ability to use Gold Card as payment. Furthermore, there is no timetable on when the restaurant will reopen, because the University needs to meet with potential partners before commencing renovations, Pauline said.

In addition to the restaurant, the University also obtained an adjoining building at the intersection of Olney and Wister. According to the press release, the first floor of that building is rented by The Redemption Church of Christ and the second floor is used as a rental apartment. There are currently no plans to change those arrangements.

La Salle officials and Apsis declined to disclose the cost of the purchase and a representative for the Board of Revision of Taxes said they won’t have recorded information of the transaction for several weeks. However, the BRT’s Web site indicates that Apsis bought both properties within the last three years for a combined $180,000.

Apsis, who also owns Apsis Real Estate LLC, said there was no pressing reason to sell the properties.

“Why not sell? Everything’s for sale,” he said. “Even if you want to buy City Hall, they're going to sell it to you [if the money’s right]. I have a lot of properties and I sell and I buy. Whether I sell to Asians, Italians… or La Salle, it’s all the same to me if the money’s right.”

Students seem pleased with the purchase, especially because it opens up the possibility of using Gold Card at an off-campus restaurant.

“I think it’s a great idea because it opens up a whole other realm of opportunities for delicious dining,” sophomore history major Matt Gordon said. “Now I won’t have to pay for my food; my mom’s got it.”

Adding to this idea, sophomore nursing major Jaime Esbensen indicated her belief that the feature will be great for students who don’t have a meal plan or those who don’t carry cash on them.

“A lot of students who don’t have a meal plan just load up on Gold Card money, so this will offer them another option,” she said. “It will also be great for people who live in [St. Teresa Court and La Salle Apartments] because it’s so close to them.”

Meanwhile, senior communication major Christina Kunp, said the deal sounded good, because the new restaurant site would “Hopefully be better than [La Salle’s on-campus eating establishments].”

Acknowledging that the Gold Card feature would be good for students, Pauline, class of ’79, also pointed to the importance of keeping an established tradition alive.

“I find it very exciting,” she said. “I’m a La Salle graduate myself and when I went here my friend and I would go eat at Explorers Den every Friday. People seem to enjoy having a restaurant there, so we’re looking forward to continuing to offer that tradition.”

viscof1@lasalle.edu