Out with Gert's, take two

Posted at 02:25PM on Apr 10, 2008 by web

I've decided I like this "internet" thing. I can post a half-baked idea, receive compliments and criticisms, and two days later, revisit the situation. It's like magic!

Two days ago, I suggested that SSMU respond to calls for a student-run cafe in Shatner by turning Gert's into a bar/cafe and moving it to room 103, currently occupied by Caferama. Theoretically, this would create a student-run cafe, revitalize Gert's, and still leave the basement space formerly occupied by that petri dish of a bar available to rent out.

A few interested SSMUshies contacted me about the idea, a few friends hailed by genius, and a few other SSMU-types knocked me down a peg for some of my sillier suggestions. Which is rad. And now, I think we have a better idea of how SSMU can best move forward on this issue.

First, let me admit that my suggestion to move Haven Books into Shatner was, uh, dumb. In my excitement to figure out all of SSMU's problems, and my desperation to avoid writing my paper on the Zambian Copperbelt, I overshot. Obviously McGill would never allow Haven Books, its sworn enemy, on campus.

Second, a few former SSMUshies have weighed in, arguing that Gert's was failing before it moved to the Shatner basement, and that moving it back upstairs would cost a hell of a lot. They very well may be right. But that's just my point; SSMU hasn't looked into more creative options like this, so we have no idea whether the costs would outweigh the benefits. Instead, the Society has rushed ahead to make a decision that will affect the Shatner building for years to come - a decision that's slated to be made tonight.

Luckily, a few SSMU councilors are hoping to call off any rash decisions - whether for a student-run cafe or a corporate provider - and take more time to consult students and draft new ideas. That's the best thing that could happen at Council. I want a student-run cafe in the Shatner building, as a lot of students do. And I hope those students who have submitted proposals for the space don't take my suggestion as an attempt to undercut their business plans. (I can think of few better things in life than the possibility of enjoying a beer or coffee with my Midnight Kitchen.) But considering the controversy this issue is generating, more time is needed to create a workable plan.

Ideally, tonight SSMU Council will vote against giving room 103 to any tender, and will instead take the next few months to look into alternative options. That could mean moving Gert's into 103, opening a student-run bar/cafe, and renting out the current Gert's space. That could mean - as some people have suggested as an alternative to my idea - opening a split bar/cafe in the current Gert's space and renting out room 103. That could mean none of the above. Hell, that could mean SSMU opening an arcade in 103, as my colleague Kelly Ebbels has suggested - which would be badass.

The point is that we're just not sure what the best option is. The only real research into SSMU's options was the Operations Committee report, which some people in the know have suggested contains misleading and false information. Hopefully, as The Daily suggested earlier this week, tonight Council will vote against accepting any tender for room 103. We'd be far better off taking some time now to explore our options than paying for our mistakes later.

Drew Nelles
Coordinating editor

P.S. If SSMU does eventually decide to reopen Gert's as a student-run bar/cafe, I've already got some ideas for names. Kelly Ebbels has suggested "Drert's." My friend Derek Lappano and I have also long dreamed of opening a bar called "Thus Spake Barathustra." Something to keep in mind...