Tradtion vs. Atmosphere: Cascarllies vs. Gina's bt the Trax
By Megan Frounfelter and Sarah Granlund
Staff Writers

Gina’s is the newest Albion College trend. Students flock there Wednesday nights, creating lines out the door and a whole lot of inexpensive fun.

Students enjoy spending time at Gina’s because it has a friendly and laid back atmosphere.

“Gina’s has a social atmosphere. It has more space and is much more relaxed than some of the other local hangouts,” said Amy DeRouin, Muskegon sophomore.

The restaurant has a large space available for students to unwind and enjoy the evening’s entertainment. There are couches and chairs, which allow students to feel right at home.

Cascarelli’s used to be the traditional Albion College hangout on Wednesday nights, but with the opening of Gina’s, business has declined. “I think a lot of people were angered by Jim Cascarelli’s cover. He was charging like three dollars just to get in the bar to hear karaoke,” said John Mueller, 2000 graduate.

Cascarelli’s is trying to compete with Gina’s live bands and dance-theme disc jockeys however. Last Wednesday saw the implementation of “mug night,” where customers could bring any mug up to 40 oz large and get it filled for $1.25 a pop.

“Mug night seemed to resurrect a little bit of the business. But as far as the long term, I don’t know,” Mueller said.

“People around here are looking for new things to do - regardless of tradition,” said Anwar Imam, Bloomfield junior. “I think the live entertainment and theme nights on Wednesdays are what bring everybody to Gina’s.”

Students seem to enjoy the atmosphere of Gina’s more than anything else. “I would recommend it to students that have never been there because it provides an opportunity to sit back and relax, whether on a Wednesday night, or just for a good meal,” said Amber Mandler, Dearborn Heights sophomore.

Gina’s also tends to be geared more toward the college crowd than Cascarelli’s. “Gina’s always has good entertainment like an acoustic band or a DJ,” said Katie Lighthall, Ann Arbor junior.

“Overall, they cater to the college students, which makes it more popular than Cascarelli’s.”