'We weren’t doing enough in sales,’ student center director says

Claflin students and staff are confused about the new retail hours of the student center.

Before the new year, stores in the student center such as Papa John’s, the Panther Den and Qdoba had longer hours. They opened at 10:30 a.m. and closed at 9 p.m., and now they close at 8 p.m.

They also were operating seven days a week; now they are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

“We weren’t doing enough in sales,” said Tim Johnson, student center director.

Although averaging at least 70% in student center use, with the community and student sales combined, the money issue caused fewer hours available, Johnson said.

Claflin also has a movie theater that is open to all.

“Religious and African American-based films seem to get the most attention,” Johnson said.

Overall, theatre use has gone up by 7% in sales since the opening in April 2024. Most recently, they have gone up 30%, with the movie “One Of Them Days” coming out and being so popular with the youth, Johnson said.

Johnson noted upcoming events at the student center.

There is the first lady brunch happening in March, regional conferences and many pop-up shops. They seem to be popular among Claflin students.