The HUB-Robeson Center is one of the most common places for students to share a meal. However, some downtown businesses worry that the HUB-Robeson Center eateries are attracting their potential customers.

Students are prone to eating in the HUB for a variety of reasons, such as its on-campus location, the 10 percent discount offered with Penn State meal plans and the wide selection of food, which ranges from Italian, Mexican and Chinese to sandwiches and chicken, said Stan Latta, director of unions and student activities for the HUB.

"I eat at the HUB at least twice a week," Clint Mickel (sophomore-finance) said. "Panda Express is my favorite. It's cheaper than other places, and I can get a full meal for around five bucks."

With all the perks that coincide with eating in the HUB, local business owners might wonder if the HUB could be moving in on a chunk of their customers.

"How do you compete with the HUB?" asked Dan Pivirotto, co-owner of Ye Olde College Diner, 126 W. College Ave. "It's affected us tremendously. We are a student eatery. We can't compete with national chains."

But Latta said there are enough people in the area to keep local businesses successful.

"With up to 42,000 students and 10 to 12,000 faculty and staff on this campus, that means 50,000 individuals need to eat lunch," he said. "Our services aren't negatively affecting anyone. We're providing an appropriate service."

One local businessman, Nick Ignazzi, co-owner of V & S Sandwiches, 128 E. College Ave., said the HUB does not hurt his business.

"It's up to students to decide, and they pick what they think is best," he said.

However, Ignazzi is bothered that the HUB businesses do not have to charge sales tax on the food they sell.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's illegal not to charge tax, and I don't know how they get around that, but it's unfair," he said. "Tax is an important thing in our country."

Richard H. Pearce, director of finance and business for the HUB, explained why the eateries are not required to charge tax.

"The PA tax code provides that the sale at retail of food and beverages at or from a school or church in the ordinary course of the activities of such organizations is not subject to tax," he said.

Weston Shively, assistant manager of The Corner Room, 100 W. College Ave., said he is not concerned about competition from the HUB.

"Honestly, I'd imagine it could hurt our business, but we're getting the numbers we expect, especially on weekends and football weekends," he said. "The only advantage the HUB has is if it's more convenient for students to stay on campus."

Rob Donchez (sophomore-political science) said convenience is the main reason why he usually eats at the HUB.

"On certain days, when I'm around campus for class, I'll eat in the HUB," he said. "The food's alright, and it's really convenient when I have breaks between classes."