 "Photo: Nathaniel LaRue")
 "Photo: Nathaniel LaRue")
Loud voices shouted, “Get your free Call Hall ice cream!” in Bosco Student Plaza on Monday. InterVarsity Christian Fellowship handed out free ice cream and snatch bags as a service to the public.
“InterVarsity is a Christian campus group that is trying to support and reach out to the students on and off campus through the practical things like ice cream and the spiritual things like Bible study,” said Joel Wallace, sophomore in computer science and president of InterVarsity.
The group offered five flavors of ice cream as a way to promote fellowship. The group also had information about its weekly Bible studies for those who were interested.
Lines of people formed before and after the noon hour as they gathered to get free ice cream.
“This is spectacular — a wonderful surprise,” said Jon Buckner, senior in civil engineering.
Larissa Wimbs, senior in animal sciences and industry and the club’s secretary/treasurer, said InterVarsity is a national organization that focuses on spreading the word of the Gospel.
Grant Tillemans, senior in psychology and the club’s vice president, said the group was in the plaza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is eager to see if its hospitality will attract new members to their Bible studies.
“We’ve had a lot of people come through for the free ice cream and I’m just praying to God that people will come hear the truth at our Bible studies,” Tillemans said.
Warren said if the city decides to create a different theater for the location, then his corporation would assist in the design of the theater.
“We would like to do something there, but it just kind of gets back to that we seem to be really good at building these monster theaters that do well in big cities, and I’m not sure we have the ability to do what we would need to do in a smaller city,” Warren said.
Lindsey Peterson, sophomore in family studies and human services, has attended films at the Warren Theatre in Wichita several times.
Peterson said while the theaters are nice, they are highly overpriced and do not provide really enticing qualities.
“I feel the movie theater that Manhattan has is very nice, and there really isn’t a need to build a new one,” she said. “Warrens are very nice in the fact that they serve dinners, but other than that there is nothing that special about them, and they are very pricey.”
After a number of public meetings and final development agreements, Hilgers said the redevelopment project will continue forward.
“We don’t anticipate a drop-off [in consumers],” Hilgers said. “In fact, we will probably see a net increase in terms of users. Hopefully we can find other types of retailers to substitute that attraction.”
“We aren’t just another bar that aims to get kids all liquored up, there is much more that we are trying to do here,” Jacobson said.
In addition to supporting local charities the Loft also is involved with the humane society.
“We will be having many different types of animals outside the Loft — dogs, goats and even miniature Clydesdales.” Jacobson said. “Our bar is very pet-friendly.”
The Loft has no cover charge and daily drink specials. Renovations inside the Loft will continue for the next year.
If renovations go as planned the Loft plans to open the upper level with two restaurants and install a glass elevator.
“We just have to get the mothership going,” Jacobson said.
The lower level of the Loft is currently the only level of the bar in operation.
This bar possesses many qualities that could potentially benefit the community of Manhattan, as well as offering college students a place to relax and share a drink with friends.
“Yes we are a bar, but I want students and the community to be able to come together,” Jacobson said. “This bar will definitely be different than the others.”
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