This school year marked the closing of Irma’s Bistro, a slightly more upscale dining option on campus that was previously located in lower Becker Hall.

Discussions about closing Irma’s have been taking place throughout the past year. Those involved in the decision analyzed the usage, staffing and food costs while also taking into consideration the needs and interests of the Creighton community.

“The bottom line: under the current concept, it was difficult to underwrite resources that were not producing a larger revenue return,” Dr. John C. Cernech, Vice President for Student life, said. “Opportunities to enhance revenues while reducing expenses are crucial as we move forward with university planning in the future.”

Most students were not particularly upset to hear about the closing of Irma’s. Since it did not offer ‘meal exchange,’ many students, especially underclassmen, rarely chose to dine at Irma’s.

“Honestly, I didn’t even realize it was closed,” Nursing sophomore Sarah Malishchak said.  “Even though I lived in Kiewit and it was so close, I never ate at Irma’s last year. I usually just went to Brandeis, Becker or Skutt since they had more options and I didn’t have to use my dining dollars.”

Unlike the majority of students, many faculty members were very disappointed to see the end of Irma’s.

Dr. Wendy Wright, a professor in the Theology department, frequently dined at Irma’s and was saddened and frustrated to hear of it’s closing.

“I used it mainly when meeting with other faculty and when we had guests on campus,” Wright said. “It was the only place that felt nice enough for guests. Now, [the dining options] feel very limited.”

With the closing of Irma’s, students and faculty who frequented it will have to turn to one of Creighton’s 10 other dining outlets, or head off campus to find a replacement for the former bistro.