Students of all ages returned to school in Halifax on Thursday, with many attending university and moving in to the area. Local businesses are welcoming them with open doors. “The fall season is a huge boost for us,” says Nicholas Habib, the owner of Jubilee Junction Convenience & Takeout. He estimates incoming students bring a surge of 15,000 to 20,000 people. “That’s a whole village of its own, a community of itself. And for those seven, eight months that they are here they support us. It truly is phenomenal,” says Habib. The family-owned convenience store has been a popular student hot spot for decades, whether it’s takeout or late-night sweet treats, they have the study essentials that keeps them coming back. “They are going to spend on food, they are going to pay for transportation, they have to be entertained. They are going to go out and about. They are supporting all of the local shops and that makes a huge difference to everyone doing business in this part of Halifax,” Habib says. Other local businesses like Apartment 3 Espresso Bar in Halifax also rely on students. “It’s always great to have students here. We get to become one of their hangouts where they study and connect and meet other people,” says Alexander Stephen, owner of the espresso bar. “It’s sad sometimes at the end of the year to see them go or to graduate. A lot of our regulars have moved on, but it’s exciting to meet some new ones this year,” he adds. It’s not just students patronage, catering also picks up for the business this time of year, too. Whether it’s staff meetings, events or functions, this is when they get a lot of their calls. “It’s a lot busier, we have multiple caterings a day. It’s great to reconnect with those people. It goes quiet over the summer so it’s a big boost for business,” says Stephen. Pizza has been a staple in many student diets. Slice Plus Convenience & Pizzeria on Quinpool Road in Halifax opened nine months ago. This is their first September and they’re grateful the start of the school year is here. “I’m so excited because that gives some ray of hope for me,” says Dhanumjay Mannava, the pizzeria owner. This team has recently added an ice cream bar and candy display to welcome students. “I am trying to add more stuff and hopefully I will give some better discounts if they show their student ID card and hopefully I will start some special discounts, especially for students,” says Mannava. Despite Dalhousie University students moving-in day being Thursday, move-in day for Saint Mary’s students is Saturday and Mount Saint Vincent students is Sunday so it’s only going to get busier for local businesses. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
