Longer hours, silent films and the Three Stooges playing at lunch time are just some of the changes Collis' new manger hopes to bring to the student center.
Stephen Gorin, a Boston native who has owned a restaurant in South Burlington, Vt., for the past six years, took on his position as Collis manager this fall.
Gorin said he hopes to make Collis more student-friendly.
"I want to make it more enticing to come to Lone Pine at lunch," he said. "We will have more sandwiches offered, and maybe even a television with a VCR put in so students can watch films during lunch."
"We want to keep Collis Cafe open later on weekends, for coffeehouses on Saturdays and a place where students can study with friends on Sundays," he said.
Opening a desk drawer and revealing a folder stuffed with comment cards, Gorin smiled and said he loves to read students' opinions on Collis.
Though he did not originally agree with recent changes to the Collis Cafe made before his arrival, he said he is working to make the changes "as friendly as possible."
These changes include the removal of the deli bar from the cafe to the Lone Pine Tavern "to take the congestion out of the cafe and utilize the space we weren't using," he said.
The cafe also now only serves vegetarian dishes and has added smoothies and espresso to its menu.
Gorin's South Burlington restaurant, City Market, is a bakery and cafe, which has mostly vegetarian specials.
Gorin has also worked in Washington, D.C. for Bob's Famous Ice Cream Company and owned his own Georgian company, Gorin's Homemade Ice Cream.
Gorin said he came to the College because he wanted a change of pace.
"Being an entrepreneur for a while was stressful. I was tired of being the top man on the totem pole and was looking forward to working with other professionals," he said.
"Also, I love being in a college atmosphere," he said, as a wide grin.
Director of Dining Services Pete Napolitano said Gorin "will bring innovative ideas, a sense of commitment, pride and ownership to Collis."
Napolitano said Gorin is in tune to the needs of "both the employees and the students."
Gorin is "very creative and very much in touch with the student market," he said.
Gorin continues to commute to City Market twice a week. His wife and two children -- six-year-old Adam and nine-year-old Rebecca -- live in South Burlington and plan to relocate to the Hanover area soon.
Gorin says he is still getting used to his new job and has no long-term plans for Collis.
