Contact: James Carskadon
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Perry Cafeteria at Mississippi State University will soon undergo a major renovation, giving the 102-year-old building modern amenities while maintaining its historic character.
The renovation is set to begin following the spring 2024 semester, ushering in a new era of dining at MSU. Because of the renovation, Perry Cafeteria will be closed during the 2024-25 academic year. It will reopen in August 2025 as Perry Hall with exciting new concepts. It will no longer be an all-you-can-eat style cafeteria but will instead offer three food hall concepts: a southern-style kitchen offering a modern take on comfort food, a barbecue and grill offering, and a produce/salad concept. Additionally, Starbucks will relocate to Perry in 2025 with an expanded footprint.
“Perry Cafeteria has been a central part of the MSU student experience for more than a century, and I am excited about this major investment that will allow the facility to meet the modern dining needs of our students while maintaining its distinction and historic character,” said MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt. “We appreciate Aramark for partnering with us on this upgrade and the temporary plans to provide for student dining needs during the 2024-25 academic year.”
While Perry is closed for construction, MSU will facilitate four to six food trucks located at various stations around campus that will accept flex dollars. Fresh Food Company and McArthur Café will remain open as well. The construction at Perry also will impact State Fountain Bakery because the bakery’s kitchen is located in Perry. The current bakery location in the Colvard Student Union will be a “Perry-to-Go” venue during the 2024-25 academic year and accept block meals.
The updated Perry Cafeteria will include lounge areas where students can socialize and study and will be accessible with or without purchasing food. An addition to the north end of Perry will provide an expanded Moe’s Southwest Grill and reintroduce State Fountain Bakery, which will return to its original location.
Originally built in 1921 in Late Gothic Review architectural style, Perry Cafeteria has been at the heart of campus activities and dining for more than a century. The building is named in honor of 1919 Mississippi A&M graduate George D. Perry, a strong financial supporter of the university and former president of the MSU Foundation board of directors.
For more on MSU dining, visit www.dining.msstate.edu.
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