Panera: The Ultimate Spot
Graphics by Anika Dua
I don’t know about you all, but ever since middle school, Panera has felt like a second home. Showing up after school got out, getting a candy cookie, and laughing with your sixth grade friends was a time that can never be forgotten. As I got older, Panera didn’t just become a social gathering place, it was one of my favorite study spots. Getting together with friends, pulling out our notebooks, and working while eating our delicious mac and cheese (we all know it's microwaved…but it’s still good) became synonymous with my high school experience.
Coming to Syracuse, I noticed the lack of proximity to a Panera almost immediately. Sure, I can always door dash it or Uber to Destiny or East Syracuse, but that gets pricey and in reality I just want to walk there. I’m not that down bad for Panera (I’m literally writing an article on it), but I do feel that University Hill could benefit from a walking distance Panera. Here are a few reasons why:
1. More food options near campus
I love Popeyes, Chipotle, and our other nearby options (…I guess) but sometimes I just want to walk to get a salad, smoothie, and grilled cheese all in one place, and Panera would provide that for me.
2. Studying
Most college students can agree that it’s nice to get out of their dorm rooms to hit the books. Our options on campus are nice (shoutout to my favorites: Schine third floor and Salt City Coffee) but we could use some more.
3. Socializing
There’s something to love about study spots that are just a little bit facey, where you’re bound to see someone you know. This is helpful for breaks because you can walk over and talk with a friend (or that random girl from your COM 107 class) before getting back to work. What better place to do that than the sacred space of a Panera? I would always go to Panera with my friends if I needed an off-campus meal.
I hope you can see my vision for a Panera-centered world, and why it is not a want, but a need. Panera, in my eyes, is one of the closest things we have on Earth to heaven. It really has it all.