Dakota J's uses its wings and takes off

"Instead of having the space fit the vision, we're going to have the vision fit the space," Dakota J's owner Jay Luther said. Luther is opting to relocate the store to a smaller spot more conducive to his style of business.

Soon to be vacant

Luther, whose restaurant was the only one to accept Flex Dollars throughout the intense union picketing last year, likes his relationship with Yale, and hopes to relocate somewhere nearby. "Yale was very accomodating during the tough times. If anything, Yale's been overly-cooperative in helping me find a new place for Dakota J's," Luther said.

Luther's primary concern is the size of the current store. He said he wants to find a spot with more front window space and less room inside so Dakota J's can develop a more intense street presence.

The new Dakota J's will sport a concise menu with more of a focus on wings, since wings are responsible for 90 percent of sales.

To attract more students to his store, Luther also anticipates cutting prices by approximately 25 percent.

Wherever Luther decides to relocate his business, he is confident that his positive experiences with the University will continue. "Yale has been very good to me," Luther said.

--Sumit De and Hugh Hunter