The first thing most people notice in a restaurant usually isn’t the floor.
But according to Ed Thorndike ’89 and Karen Kaffen, founders and owners of WesWings, that’s what most students have been raving about following the chicken standby’s summer-long makeover.
“We were going for an urban-chic look,” said Kaffen. “I told them, ‘I want the Urban Outfitters floor from New York City.’ The response has been great.”
In addition to the new floor, WesWings now sports two flat screen TVs, booth seating, granite tables, a bench to sit on while waiting for food orders, and low-voltage lighting.
“We started ripping the place up literally the day after classes ended,” Kaffen said. “The timing was good, because it was a full and complete summertime project.”
Despite all the upgrades, Kaffen and Thorndike decided to keep prices the same, even as fuel and poultry costs have steadily risen over the last year.
The renovation looks to be paying off: according to Thorndike, WesWings has been “significantly busier” than usual since opening its doors this year. Might it have something to do with long lines at Usdan?
“I think it’s a little of both, but primarily the renovation,” he said. “We’ve only been a little busier at our other location, the Red and Black Café, which makes me think it’s more about the renovation than something else going on.”
The busiest time has been during lunch, but Kaffen is happy with the speed that they’ve been able to get diners in and out.
“The first few days, the lines were longer, but we adapted almost instantaneously by hiring more staff,” she said.
“We’ve realized that the lunch period is basically an hour, so we have to be staffed, prepared and ready to go,” Thorndike added.
While points can be used to pay for meals at WesWings and Red and Black Café, they are independently owned and unaffiliated with Bon Appétit’s food service on campus. Kaffen said the renovation was not planned in anticipation of new competition from Bon Appétit.
“Really, it was based on the fact that after thousands of students over 15 years the place was tired and needed a major facelift,” she said.
Kaffen and Thorndike opened WesWings in February 1991 in the basement of 156 High Street. The building was the former home of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, of which Thorndike was a member. The space had previously housed Delta’s dining club.
“Like many people that get into the restaurant business, I was just out of college and lacked any other idea of what to do with my life,” Thorndike said.
Feedback on the new look has been great.
“By and large, students like the atmosphere,” Thorndike said. “They like what we’ve done.”
WesWings still has a few student shifts available. Job applications, as well as a list of daily specials, are available on their website at WesWings.com.
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