Vermonster sandwiches, sun-dried tomato pasta salad, and chocolate chip banana bread waiting across the street from campus have become a thing of St. Michael's College's past. These were just a few of the delights available at Purple Knights Pizza, until the establishment closed suddenly on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
A tough decision
Although the closure may have seemed sudden to many, the final decision was not made abruptly, Leslie Wells, co-owner of Purple Knights, says. It was something she and co-owner Rick Hubbard had been considering for a while, partly due to the current economic situation creating a very difficult environment for businesses, she says.
“The cost of flour, which we use in our pizzas and breads, has risen greatly since we first started the business,” Wells says. “When we first opened flour was $13 a bag, and it rose to $30 at one point this year.”
High gas prices caused the cost to fill up the delivery truck to also increase a great deal, which added more to expenses, Wells says.
In a statement sent to St. Michael’s employees on Thursday, Dec.4, Wells summed up many of the factors that went into the difficult decision.
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The sign outside Purple Knights informs patrons of Leslie Wells' and Rick Hubbard's decision.
(Photo by Megan Davin) |
“With the rising cost of food, gas, a very labor-intensive menu and a fairly inexperienced staff it became increasingly more difficult to keep costs in line. But even armed with optimism, a fresh outlook, and a very enthusiastic band of new staff members, PKs continued its fiscal hemorrhaging. And so, with very heavy hearts, we made the decision to close,” Wells wrote.
The decision was not an easy one for the owner as they knew what a beloved asset they were to the community.
“It is more than just food, it has been a place of connection for people,” Wells says.
Bagels to pizza to pasta
Purple Knights used to be a bagel shop called Goldberg and Tronos. When the shop closed, St. Michael’s decided to buy the building, Wells says. Four months after original owner Darren Eddy opened Purple Knights, Wells and Hubbard bought the business.
In the e-mail sent to St. Michael’s employees, Wells wrote that she and Hubbard had to sell both their condos, beg their families for some dough, and promise away her first-born to own the business.
St. Michael’s still owns the building, and has been wonderful about giving the owners an opportunity to plan their next steps, Wells says of the establishment’s future. She and Hubbard are working on a business plan of what they will pursue next.
“We have a plan for it,” Wells says. “We hope to turn it into more of a café, with coffees, smoothies, sandwiches, and soups.”
If their plan does not pan out, Wells and Hubbard will move on and hopefully get someone else to take the business and keep the menu, Wells says.
“Something will be here, though. St. Michael’s realizes what an asset the space is to the community,” she says.
Familiar faces throughout the day
Purple Knights was supported by many loyal customers, making the business feel like a family, Wells says.
When stepping into Purple Knights, it was almost a guarantee that you would see a St. Michael’s student hard at work behind the counter. Ninety percent of the employees were St. Michael’s students, Wells says.
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Junior Emily Conley cleans up at the end of a shift at Purple Knights.
(Photo by Megan Davin) |
“We love having them, they are fun, energetic and a great connection to the community,” Wells says.
The closure of Purple Knights has the employees out of a job, however, and Wells and Hubbard are doing what they can to support their staff.
Along with Purple Knights, Hubbard also manages Sparetime (the former Yankee Lanes) and City Sports Grill.
“Rick has been trying to absorb as many staff from Purple Knights into his other business as possible,” Wells says. “One of our biggest concerns is to make sure our staff is OK.”
St. Michael’s junior Emily Conley began working at Purple Knights at the beginning of this school year. The business’s location made it a practical choice, Conley says.
Conley is going abroad next semester, but would have loved to look at it as a place to work for senior year, she says.
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Junior Drew Flaherty cited Purple Knight's location as a reason why he frequented the business.
(Photo by Megan Davin) |
“I was disappointed when I found out about the closure,” Conley says. “It was a really fun place to work; my bosses were great and so was the food.”
The campus community seems shocked and disappointed, yet understanding of the closure of such a loved business.
“I was a bit surprised, however due to the country’s current economic state, I can understand,” junior Paul Zychowicz says.
Junior Katie Mitiguy feels similarly.
“Purple Knights offered the surrounding community a great place to not only eat, but to socialize,” Mitiguy says. “I loved going during finals week for the dollar slices. Purple Knights will definitely be missed.”
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