Following the demolition of the original Observatory Hill dining hall, the University opened its doors to a more modern facility Monday. Crossroads will replace the Tree House and the Root Cellar as a popular hangout for first-year University students.
The facility's name, Crossroads, originated from "the combination of Alderman Road and McCormick Road, where the two cross -- where Old and New dorms come together," University Dining Marketing Manager Liz Thompson said.
The venue, located on the bottom floor of theObervatory Hill building, is the first of the new facilities to open. It includes three food stations as well as a convenience store.
"It's like we took the Tree House and the Root Cellar and combined them and moved them into the same space," Thompson said.
Crossroads will maintain hours similar to those held by the Tree House, with the exception of an added breakfast schedule, starting at 8 a.m. and serving coffee and other breakfast items, Thompson said.
"Historically, that's not a very busy time, but we think we're going to see faculty and staff now that it's a new facility," University Director of Dining Operations Eddie Whedbee said.
According to Whedbee, the new facility will offer a better opportunity for students and faculty to meet.
The facility does not include the same big-screen televisions showing football games and offering background noise as the Tree House, Whedbee added.
"It wasn't something we had huge crowds for," he said. "It didn't really fit into the design of the building."
Other differences between the late Tree House and the new Crossroads include an extended organic and ethnic section within the convenience store.
The new facility has opened for limited hours before students return for the fall semester in order to "work out the kinks," Thompson said. It will open for regular hours starting Aug. 22.
The modernity of Crossroads creates a change for University dining, Whedbee said.
"It's important to know that this is a tremendous addition to the University and a turning point for dining," he said. "Every new offering that modernizes the services we have enhances the image of U.Va. to new students."
Despite the facility's differences, many basics remain constant.
"We still serve breadsticks," Thompson said.
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