TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — As thousands of college students return to Tallahassee ahead of the fall semester, businesses near campus are gearing up for the annual boost that comes with move-in season.
At OG Subs on College Avenue, owner Markus Gielarowski said the summer months bring a steady local crowd, but business picks up when students return.
“Obviously with the influx of college students coming back, it definitely helps with the business. Summer time, we here at OG Subs, we still have a really good local following for lunch,” Gielarowski said.
Move-in season also brings students’ families into nearby restaurants and shops, creating opportunities for businesses to turn first-time visitors into repeat customers throughout the year.
“So it’s a chance to really meet a lot of the parents, the brothers and sisters, as well as the new residents that are coming here for school. It’s a really impactful thing for when they come back, for parents’ weekend and stuff like that and also just for future sales as they’re enjoying their college years,” Gielarowski said.
Gielarowski said OG Subs’ location helps keep it in the middle of Tallahassee’s college traffic, with fraternities, bars and major institutions nearby.
“We have about seven fraternities on our road as well. We have about three bars and the Capitol is right up the hill and FSU and FAMU are within very short distance. So we’re very centrally located, which has been advantageous throughout all 10 years of our business,” he said.
With students moving back in now, businesses like OG Subs are preparing for the return of the school-year crowd.
Classes begin Monday, Aug. 24, for both Florida State University and Florida A&M University.