Are more students leaving the Hill to go downtown?

Barmuda properties on College Hill have seen a decline in business, according to Tara Smiley, vice president of restaurant operations and director of marketing for Barmuda. Smiley said this is because college students are instead frequenting establishments outside of the campus area, such as those on Main Street or restaurants on University Ave.

"It's been tough in the recession in the last few years," Smiley said. "It seems like college students are leaving campus more often to drink or eat, so that's definitely affected quite a few of us on the Hill, but it seems like we're bouncing back. Some properties are doing better than others. Mojo's is having a pretty good year. Fire & Ice has been a little bit difficult, but we have some promotions planned so we're hoping that'll help."

While Barmuda properties on College Hill may have seen a drop in business in 2011, various Barmuda-owned and independent businesses on Main Street saw their best year yet.

"I think Community Main Street has a lot to do with it," Smiley said. "It has a lot to do with the management and the properties. (A) lot of (the members of Community Main Street) are owners (of businesses on Main Street), so they take a little bit of pride in what they do, and they do everything they can do to be a part of that association. They get people to come downtown. (I'm) definitely not saying that the Hill properties aren't the same way, because we know we've worked with some of them in the past, but we definitely see a stronger presence in the community on Main Street."

According to its website, Community Main Street is "an organization that serves as a catalyst for private development and public partnerships." It leads "efforts to strengthen the role and reputation of downtown Cedar Falls as a place ‘Where Good Friends Meet.'" In particular, the organization focuses on Main Street as "an arts and entertainment destination."

Morgan Young, a server, bartender and manager at Pump Haus on Main Street, said she's seen a rise in profits over the past few years.

"When I first started working in 2009, they were in the red. We've been out of the red now for a couple of years, so it's definitely been good," Young said.

Young said a variety of changes, such as more menu items, more themed parties and better advertising, have all attributed to the rise in profits.

"Main Street's definitely turning into the old Hill," Young said. "The Hill is kind of a younger person's bar and stuff, but it's really coming over to Main Street. We get a lot of college students on Fridays and Saturdays."

Wendi Rode, general manager at Toad's on Main Street, said they have also made changes in the recent year, such as a remodeled bathroom and new wings added to the menu.

"It's a fun place to hang out. We're not too expensive," Rode said. "We know … college kids (have) their budget. We have really reasonable prices here."

While Rode said it is too early to tell if the new changes will churn a profit, she is hopeful that more students will come to Toad's.

Cody Simmons, a senior political science and Russian double major, said he has visited numerous establishments on both College Hill and Main Street. Between the two, Simmons said he prefers going to Main Street.

"I go to Main Street more frequently because there is usually less of a crowd and no cover to get in," Simmons said. "The difference in service between the Hill and Main Street is night and day. Often times there simply are not enough servers at establishments on the Hill. I once waited 45 minutes for a White Russian and another 45 minutes for my bill at the Other Place. I very rarely have the same problem at establishments on Main Street."

Simmons said that, in order for him to go to College Hill more often, some changes would have to be made.

"The Hill would have to do a lot for me to frequent many of their locations, as more often than not they only play club music or have karaoke," Simmons said. "Also, another thing that might enhance the bar-going experience would be to limit the amount of people in the bars, so everyone can have prompt service and better enjoy their time."

Joseph Schoborg, a freshman theatre major, said he finds College Hill a convenient place to have fun.

"College Hill is closer — it's within walking distance of my dorm," Schoborg said. "I also go to Mojo's and Ice, which are 18 (to get in). Main Street is mostly 21 and over, so there's a lot more (places) applicable to all students at UNI (on College Hill)."

Schoborg said he enjoys the variety of businesses on College Hill.

"I think that they're nice establishments. We don't have restaurants that are like that in Marshalltown, so it's really cool to go to different types of places," Schoborg said.

Overall, Smiley hopes renovations to businesses on College Hill will bring UNI students back to the Hill.

"We did a total remodel of Ice Lounge and that middle section between Ice and Beck's, and we renamed it Fire and Ice Lounges," Beck said. "And then we support lower prices and specials, and that is starting to help."