MAJOR establishments at the UST Multi-Deck Parking (MDP) building were told to cease operations and pull out by Nov. 15, when the University ends its contract with the carpark’s private contractor and operator.
The list covers all car park restaurants, cafes, and stores, namely Lawson, Starbucks, Cozy Nook, Chowking, Tapa King, Subway, Muramasa, Pancake House, Eva’s, KyuKyu Ramen, Icebergs, Bonchon, and Apple retail store Power Mac, based on an Oct. 21 memo sent out by the car park firm, Selegna Holdings Corp., a copy of which was obtained by the Varsitarian.
Some establishments like convenience store Lawson and Korean fried chicken chain Bonchon have decided to end operations earlier, on Friday, Nov. 7, and officially close by Nov. 15.
“Malungkot po kami. Kasi na-[attach] na kami dito, pati sa mga estudyante,” Lawson’s staff Kristel Cabalfing said.
Bonchon manager Maris Chuos said staff members would be transferred to other branches following the decision to phase out all car park tenants.
“Lahat po ng mga staff namin ililipat sa ibang branch,” Chuos said.
Chowking, the Chinese fast food chain owned by Jollibee, will stop operations by Nov. 8, and staff will also be reassigned to other branches, according to one of its employees.
Other food concessionaires, such as Kyukyu Ramen, will vacate on Nov. 12, and Starbucks and Subway will still be open until Nov. 14. Staff interviewed by the Varsitarian said they were unsure if they would return.
Tapa King chief manager Aileen Dela Feuva told the Varsitarian that restaurant management was still negotiating with the UST administration for an extension, and for the restaurant to keep its spot after the car park’s impending renovation.
“Nagbigay sila samin ng hope na magpapatawag sila ng meeting. In case na kumpleto na raw ‘yong answer sa concerns namin. So last week pa kami nagpunta about that, pero hanggang ngayon wala pa,” Dela Fueva said.
“So, wala. Naka-float kami. Kumbaga, sa pag-pullout, wala pa. Siguro in case lang na wala talaga, magre-ready din kami,” she added.
Cozy Nook, a recently opened cafe, is also still negotiating with the UST administration to keep its spot at the car park, said Vicky Maala, a staff member.
It plans to transfer to P. Noval Street during the car park renovation, she said.
READ: Concessionaires told to vacate UST carpark by mid-November | The Varsitarian
Smaller concessionaires have processed their pull-out dates. Melt Kitchen ends its operations on Nov. 12, while Chicken Shack, Ate Rica’s Bacsilog, RBX Rice in a Box, Donburi Bros, Chicken Bes, and Belgian Waffles are scheduled to close on Nov. 13.
Kung Fu Kitchen, however, has yet to receive a definite date for its pullout, according to its staff.
Selegna’s Oct. 21 memorandum cited the termination of lease agreements and laid out a timeline for tenants to vacate their spaces.
Concessionaires were told to settle outstanding dues by Oct. 30 and process gate passes for equipment pullout from Nov. 8 to 15.
“Operations shall cease on or before Nov. 15, 2025,” the memorandum read.
Selegna declined the Varsitarian’s requests for comment.
