Bars and restaurants along Main Gate near the University of Arizona are bracing for a drop in business with the arrival of winter break.

At the same time, they also are preparing to welcome locals, who some business owners say tend to stay away when school is in session.

“One thing we notice during this time is people returning to Tucson to visit family,” said Gentle Ben’s Brewing Company  owner Richard Fifer. “Many locals are more likely to visit University Boulevard when there are fewer students around.”

Across the street from Gentle Ben’s, the folks at No Anchovies pizzeria think less students could entice people who don’t usually frequent Main Gate to come out.

“I expect business to slow down,” employee Kobe Mercea said, “but I hope we can maintain a steady flow of customers throughout the evening for late-night pizza eaters.”

The last day of finals at the UA is Dec. 19 and with the exception of students taking winter break session classes, the campus becomes a ghost town until the spring semester starts Jan. 15, 2025.

While businesses might be bummed by the drop student customers, some see it as a chance to focus on the local community. 

Fifer hopes more locals will visit Gentle Ben’s, 865 E University Blvd., a popular bar and restaurant known for its vibrant atmosphere and local craft beers, or his two other Main Gate restaurants, Agave House, 943 E. University, and Bacio Italiano, 943 E. University. 

“We draw a lot of people who come into town for basketball games, specifically away games,” Fifer said. “We have had some really good turnouts in year’s pasts.”

Fifer could  see a surge in customers when the Arizona men’s basketball team travels to face Cincinnati on Jan. 4, 2025, and West Virginia three days later on Jan. 7. 

Berry Greens at 943 E. University doesn’t have wide-screen TVs to lure people in when students are gone. The restaurant, which serves acai bowls, fresh juices, smoothies and healthy food options, faces significant challenges during the winter break.

“We’ll only have one or two employees working each day during the month-long winter break,” said employee Macie Graney, a UA student.

Berry Greens Juice Bar will adjust its hours during the winter break to account for fewer students on campus. Weeknight closing time will shift from 9 p.m. to 6, while opening hours will stay the same — 8 a.m Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. on weekends.

No Anchovies is hoping Tucson Packers fans will discover the restaurant at 870 E. University,

“We completely transformed our downstairs section into a Green Bay Packers sports bar,” said Kobe Mercea, an employee at No Anchovies.

The restaurant’s owner, a Green Bay Packers fan, enjoys bringing together the small but loyal group of Packers supporters in Tucson.

As other restaurant staff are located within the university, employee hours are also reduced for Mercea and the No Anchovies staff.  

“I expect business to slow down,” Mercea said. “But I hope we can maintain a steady flow of customers throughout the evening for late-night pizza eaters.”

  Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism