Dining to add Auntie Anne's, Red Mango

Mason's rapidly expanding dining system is poised to welcome two new members this fall: Auntie Anne's and Red Mango. The concepts will be installed in the vacant space on the ground floor of the Tidewater dorm and should open in August 2011. 

Denise Ammaccapane, Sodexo resident district manager, said that the new venues fill a gap in campus dining options. Red Mango offers frozen yogurt that is fat-free, gluten-free and kosher, catering to Mason students with dietary constrictions. Auntie Anne's trademark is a line of soft pretzels; as Ammaccapane said, "Who doesn't like a pretzel?"

Unlike some dining locations on campus that have truncated menus, these Mason Dining additions will include all their traditional menu items (except soda). Auntie Anne's will have normal and specialty fresh-made pretzels and pretzel dogs, as well as their famous lemonade. Red Mango will offer smoothies, parfaits and iced tea; fresh fruit toppings and all-natural ingredients offer healthy alternatives to fast food.

According to Ammaccapane, Mason Dining has looked to students for input on the new eateries and will continue to seek to serve student needs. "We look for feedback from students," said Ammaccapane, who took a group of students to the Red Mango in Clarendon to get students' opinions on the food. Hours of operation will be determined based on when students will be buying food. Ammaccapane said the dual nature of the concepts allows for flexibility, meaning that one could open in the morning while the other opens later.

Besides food, the Red Mango and Auntie Anne's opening may provide students with the opportunity to work more convenient on-campus jobs. As of now, the number of student workers with Mason Dining is around 135, with more applications coming in than jobs available. Depending on how many people are part time, the opening could add 20 jobs. Ammaccapane said she would like to see students filling the majority of those jobs, with the hiring process probably starting after spring break.

A small seating area will allow students to meet with friends, while the convenient location in the Northwest neighborhood housing area will allow students to grab a quick snack on the way to class without having to detour to the Johnson Center. Bonus, Freedom and traditional forms of payment will be accepted at the new location. However, meals plans may or may not be usable.

The two complementary venues are a unique addition to Mason's dining atmosphere. "We'll be one of the few schools in the country to have them side by side," Ammaccapane said. When asked about specific menu items, she answered "I think they'll all do well."