Although the beloved Royal Farms convenience store will be demolished during Hopkins' planned Charles Village renovations, students need not worry that late-night snacking will be severely curbed.
In fact, with any luck, it might improve.
In recent years Royal Farms, affably referred to as RoFo by students, has been elemental in catering to students coming home from parties or needing a midnight study break. With neighboring University Mini-Mart, which closes at midnight every night, and Subway, which closes at 3 a.m. on weekends, the 24-7 RoFo is the crowned champion of late-night dining on St. Paul St.
Thus, it is logical that students have begun worrying over its imminent demise when Hopkins begins construction following the 2004 spring semester.
"I'm scared," said freshman Andrew Bauerschmidt.
The renovations, called the "Charles Village Project," commissioned by Hopkins and led by Baltimore-based Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse Inc., were approved with the intentions of creating more of a "college town" atmosphere in Charles Village. Though plans are still vague, according to a Johns Hopkins press release, the project will provide the 33rd block of St. Paul St. with a new campus bookstore, and a new parking complex, as well as improved student housing and retail. The construction will involve the demolition of the building that houses Ivy Hall and the Royal Farms, as well as the Homewood Garage and a University-owned house on Charles and 33rd Streets.
The project "provides an opportunity to bring the Charles Village community and the university together to improve the Hopkins experience for students and the quality of living for residents," said John Spurrier, in the school's press release. Spurrier is the immediate past president of the Charles Village Civic Association and a longtime neighborhood activist.
The construction is predicted to last a little over a year and a half, from Spring 2004 to fall 2005. For some, this is too long to wait.
"I'm not sure that I can make it that long without RoFo chicken," said freshman Gabe Tonkin. "It's the perfect late-night food. At three in the morning, you don't want a sandwich. You want warm, greasy, unhealthy chicken."
Fortunately for Tonkin and other RoFo enthusiasts, student snacking needs are sure to be well-provided for.
According to Chuck Jones, the manager of the Royal Farms, RoFo will most likely be reincarnated somewhere else in Charles Village after it is demolished, possibly even reforming as a super store, which includes gas pumps, more groceries and much bigger coolers.
"Either that or I will open my own store," said Jones, who has been working at the Charles Village Royal Farms for two and a half years.
Jones said that if the Royal Farms does not relocate nearby after the construction begins, he will open up his own independent shop using the same rented equipment. Jones anticipates he will be able to provide the same great chicken, "if not a little better," and that he would also be open to broadening the menu to provide college town staples such as pizza and buffalo wings.
"I'll stay open all night, and I'll make whatever you want," said Jones. "If you want a PB & J, I'll fix it for you."
This would be a welcome change for Hopkins' specimen of nocturnal students.
"RoFo is great and all, but I think something more healthy would be nice," said sophomore Peggy Chu. "Like pizza or something more homemade."
According to Dennis O'Shea, spokesman for the University, the organizers of the project have been talking to the community in a series of meetings with representatives from the student body and Charles Village residents.
"We hope that the needs of students and Charles Village residents -- both eating and shopping -- will be taken care of and greatly expanded," said O'Shea.
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