By Tyler White | Staff Writer
Baylor’s campus is home to several local restaurants through Revolve and food trucks. From Tru Jamaica to Oh My Juice, Baylor has allowed such businesses to expand their reach by giving students the opportunity to support them.
Sean McMahon, resident district manager with Baylor Dining, said Revolve is a program that started a couple years ago, bringing local restaurants into the Bill Daniel Student Center to set up shop for half a semester.
“It allows them to have a chance to make a little money and to get their name out in the community and really to get the students familiar with their business,” McMahon said.
McMahon said the restaurants that rotate through Revolve add greater variety to the on-campus dining options. Oh My Juice is currently in the space.
“That’s one of the great things about the program, is we’re able to bring these folks in,” McMahon said. “Whether it’s Tru Jamaica or Oh My Juice and the different products that they offer, it just gives us a way to broaden the food horizons of our student population.”
McMahon said he encourages the Baylor community to try these places and support the restaurants at their off-campus locations too.
“When you see a new food truck on campus or you see somebody new in Revolve, go use your cash equivalency over there, go use your dining dollars, give it a try,” McMahon said. “If you like it, tell your friends and support that business for the next four years that you’re living in Waco and beyond.”
Aniceto Charles Jr., owner of Tru Jamaica, said being on Baylor’s campus has had a positive impact on his business while he’s rebuilding his restaurant after a fire.
“Some students have been adventurous where they come to eat, and they frequent the restaurant,” Charles said. “Some have even contributed to our GoFundMe page that’s still active right now.”
Charles said it’s been great for Tru Jamaica because it gets to bring a new culture to Baylor’s campus.
“The truth is, you’re celebrating a different culture,” Charles said. “You’re embracing a different culture, and then on top of it, you’re going out of your normal paradigm.”
Charles said it’s beneficial for students and local businesses to support each other and to develop a relationship that goes beyond campus.
“Local businesses are the backbone of the country,” Charles said. “If I explore and try different restaurants and everything like that, there’s so many different types of good food that’s out there, and you’re missing out when you don’t go embrace it. … Baylor’s making a regional statement to say, ‘We want you to explore and try other things in Waco besides what’s on campus.’”
