Wednesday, October 06, 2021

Updated November 3, 2021

UNCW held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 2 to celebrate the grand opening of the new Shore Dining Hall, a full-service campus dining option located adjacent to the new student housing village and recreational fields.  

“The Shore is an important part of our vision for the future at UNCW – a vision that has earned great support from the UNCW Board of Trustees, the UNC Board of Governors, local and state leaders, our business and community partners, and, especially, our students,” said Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli at the ceremony. “This building is part of a larger effort -- $450 million in construction and renovations projects on campus -- that is meant to transform the student experience on campus, helping us reinforce the sense of community this university has championed for nearly 75 years.”  

Other speakers included Sharon Boyd, associate vice chancellor for Business Services, Miles Lackey, vice chancellor for Business Affairs and Ryan Andress, executive chef. Each expressed gratitude to key partners who made the project possible, including Monteith Construction, Aramark, student leadership, and staff in Business Services, Facilities and Finance departments. 

Spanning 20,000 square feet (about four times the area of a basketball court), The Shore Dining Hall is unlike any other dining option on campus, offering six different food stations and an adjacent retail space. Dining options  include Hearth (pizza and pasta), Everything Bowl  (customized stir fry), Carolina Home (sandwiches, subs,  salads and wraps), Baja (west coast burritos and tacos), Daybreak (all-day breakfast items) and Grab and Go (a mobile ordering option).  

“The Shore is quintessential UNC Wonderful,” said Director of Auxiliary Services Gino Galutera. “It’s just stunning. We gathered a lot of student input before making decisions about the name, the types of food stations offered and even the furniture. They spoke. We listened, and we provided.” 

Kathy Cloninger, a UNCW senior majoring in Business Administration, cast her vote for naming the building, and she recently got a sneak peek tour of the new dining hall. 

“I appreciated being able to be a part of the process,” said Cloninger. “I enjoyed visiting The Shore and seeing all the different working parts. The interior design was so refreshing and open. I truly felt like I was on vacation!” 

Galutera’s team is performing feasibility studies and still collecting feedback from students about options for the retail space such as another coffee shop or restaurant concept. Cloninger thinks it would be interesting to see a mini bookstore or a gift shop in the space. 

The Shore’s coastal design incorporates plenty of natural light through its large windows and vaulted ceilings  and includes soft beachy colors in hues of blue and tan. Patrons can choose to sit inside in the spacious dining room or on the outdoor dining patio, which altogether holds 450 diners. Other details like skateboard racks at the entrance and a cerulean blue-tiled brick oven pizza maker add to its overall charm.  

"With the new Shore dining facility, we have combined quality construction with thoughtful design in a manner which will enhance the dining experience for our students, faculty and staff,” said UNCW Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs Miles Lackey. “The Shore will provide great service to our current UNCW community and will also help in attracting prospective students to campus as we plan for our future.” 

Located adjacent to the new housing village and recreation fields, east of the Bluethenthal  Wildflower Preserve and south of Price Drive, The Shore optimally sits directly on the Hawk Walk, the new pedestrian path connecting the Student Housing Village and neighborhood to Chancellor’s Walk. Terrapin, Loggerhead, Sandpiper and Pelican Halls are all nearby residence halls. 

“Being so close to the new student housing village is not only convenient, but also helps foster a sense of belonging and encourages students to fully engage and enjoy the entire college experience,” said Galutera. “It epitomizes community and connection.”  

UNCW is committed to ensuring auxiliary services provide value to students and the university, as outlined in the Strategic Plan. 

-- Krissy Vick