Jonah’s Culinary Emporium Receives Best in Business Award

By Dawn Lyons

Virginia Commonwealth’s University’s Jonah’s – a culinary dining emporium in the Jonah L. Larrick Student Center, was awarded Best in Business for convenience retailing from the National Association of College and University Food Services.

Nestled out of sight on Leigh and Ninth streets, the renovated facility opened in January on the MCV Campus.

According to Diane Reynolds, director of VCU Business Services, significant research and planning went into the design of the new facility, including surveys, focus groups, interviews and even visits to delis in New York.

“We wanted a wow experience when people walked through the door. Our objective is for the food to be the showcase,” Reynolds said of the 7,100 square-foot-facility.

Reynolds also said that Jonah’s was crafted with the same quality and design as the Shafer Court Dining Center on the Monroe Park campus.

“The award from NACUFS gives VCU national recognition,” she said. “We receive a lot of visits from other universities and now we are the model. It makes the students feel good about their school too.”

The newly renovated dining facility also was awarded Best in Business for Driving Beverage Sales. Reynolds attributes receiving this award to the large array of beverages offered.
Serving approximately 900 patrons daily, Jonah’s features a hot food island in the center of the store; a full-service Boar’s Head deli, where customers can see their food being prepared while they wait; as well as a bakeshop, grill and fresh salad bar.

In addition to students, faculty and staff in the VCU community, Jonah’s also serves many patrons from outside businesses and organizations such as the BioTech Park and the John Marshall Courts building.

“Our top award is our customers,” said Reynolds. “Their happiness validates we made the right decisions in planning Jonah’s. Winning Best in Business further validated us among our peers.”