Sacred Heart University’s 63’s dining hall went under renovation this past June. 63’s is known for its all-you-care-to-eat buffet-style setup, which now offers a new design and layout.
Construction began in mid-June, just after freshman orientation, and was completed the week before the fall 2024 semester began. The last time the dining hall was renovated was 12 years ago. Since then, the student population has grown exponentially, meaning it was time for the dining hall to receive an update.
SHU Dining Marketing Director, Danielle Bahr said the space now offers a greater variety of dining options for students with a new layout allowing for a more “communal” feel. 63’s will also have a promotional space for marketing opportunities as well as a new SHU celebrity chef series, where chefs get to showcase their meals.
“We added an additional salad bar increasing options from three to four wells. We moved our soup well to be more accessible to students. We added an additional pantry inside of the seating area, offering bagels, spreads, assorted cereal, and waffles. A new TV will be installed next week for students, a new seating concept for a more communal feel for students, upgraded nook area for new cooktops and cold wells to showcase our new SHU celebrity chef series or any marketing promotions,” said Bahr.
Bahr also said the renovations include a new allergy-conscious station, called Delicious Without, as well as a dedicated dessert area for “sweet treats.”
“We are very happy with what renovations were accomplished in a short amount of construction time. The new seating design has increased student seating capacity, something that was very much needed,” said Bahr.
Source: Daniel Greene, Staff Photographer.
Source: Daniel Greene, Staff Photographer.
According to Bahr, the renovations have received positive feedback from students, faculty, and staff alike.
Sophomore Juliana Strippoli said the updated seating arrangements enhance the space. Strippoli said the renovations allow the dining hall to feel more welcoming and modern.
“I do love the new set up of 63’s and the new tables and I love how the couches are now replaced with high-top tables. It makes the room way more up to date. The new color scheme is also way more modernized and inviting,” said Strippoli.
Sophomore Averi Wurst, a member of the SHU cheerleading team, said that after practice the thing she “looks forward to most” is a sweet treat and some chit-chat at 63s with her team.
“There is no better way to spend a post-practice than bonding with my fellow teammates and sitting at either the booths or high-top tables and catching up,” said Wurst. “We spend hours there sitting talking, and completing our schoolwork.”
Sophomore Maria Esposito said the new layout and upgraded “sweet treat station” help to attract more students, like herself, to eat at 63’s.
“The new renovations have made the room look cleaner and modernized. I love the new breakfast set up in the dining room. After dinner, I love going to the sweet treat station,” said Esposito. “I have gone to 63’s way more this semester compared to my freshman year. I am excited to continue to see what the new renovations at 63’s will bring this year to campus.”
