2008 Woodie Awards
shopUWT Web site springs up online
John Thorburn
Issue date: 5/1/03 Section: News
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"We wanted to create a web site that let students and potential students find all the potential resources available to them on and near campus," said Mike Wark, Public Relations and Communications director. "The site is also available to the community. As a result, local merchants, particularly those who lease from the university, gain some additional visibility."
With a directory of 40 establishments, shopUWT.com is divided into three headings: "Dining and Spirits," "Museums and Attractions" and "Shops and Services." The dining listings range from the contact information of national chains Subway and Starbucks to the ritzy El Gaucho and The Melting Pot along Pacific Avenue. Attractions featured include the Glass Museum, the Washington State History Museum and the Tacoma Art Museum, which has its grand opening slated for May 3-4.
Students heavily populate restaurants around campus, but Wark believes shopUWT.com will attract more business from members of the community.
"Local merchants, particularly those who lease from the university, gain some additional visibility," said Wark. "The opportunity to help support the merchants was one reason the UW Real Estate Office helped pay for development of the site. They manage properties that are not occupied for academic purposes, like the retail along Pacific Avenue where you have Starbucks, the Renaissance Cafe and others.
"The hoped-for result of giving students, faculty and staff better information about what food and shopping options are available is that these businesses will begin seeing more students, as well as more tourists from local communities and beyond."