Lunch plans for some ASU students changed quickly Thursday following a fire in the Memorial Union at around 1 p.m., leaving nearby businesses reaping the benefits.
"There were swarms of people today," said history sophomore Lauren Romero, who works at Port of Subs at 777 S. College Ave.
Romero said the normal lunch rush is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., but Port of Subs was busy until 4 p.m.
Romero added she hadn't seen it that busy except for during football games.
At nearby Lorenzo's Pizza, a second lunch rush hit at around 2 p.m.
"We had a line out the door," said manager Mario Angelo Pullara.
Students like Caley Orr, an anthropology graduate student, said she had to make other plans Thursday.
"I couldn't get to (grab a CD at) Hoodlums and grab a sandwich," Orr said, holding a six-inch sub. "So, I went to Subway."
But not everyone went off campus to grab a bite.
About 12 people were patiently waiting in line at Café Biblioteca located on the first floor of Hayden Library.
"This is a normal lunch rush for us, but it's 2:30 p.m.," said Charlie Mitchell, Café Biblioteca owner.
The case of pre-made sandwiches and salads was nearly empty, so the staff was busy making sandwiches to order, Mitchell said.
Economic sophomore Scott Meyer said he waited at Café Biblioteca for about five to 10 minutes after being unable to reach the Burger King in the MU.
"I am getting a tuna sandwich and if the (MU is) closed tomorrow, I'll probably be back here," Meyer said.
The MU will be closed on Friday, said Leah Hardesty, an ASU spokeswoman.
Traditionally, fewer students are on campus Fridays, so the impact could be minimal, said Rich Roy, Port of Subs manager.
The MU fire didn't affect everyone's lunch plans, like anthropology graduate student and teaching assistant Jamie Hodgkins.
"I bring my lunch every day," Hodgkins said. "ASU needs to raise the (teacher assistants') salaries."
Reach the reporter at jeffrey.mitchell@asu.edu
