Sully’s Steamers started accepting Terrier Bucks as a form of payment on Sept. 22, after conversations between Sully’s and AVI that began in late June.
Wofford students have since flocked to the restaurant to enjoy a steamed bagel for brunch, dinner or late-night treat after a night at the Stewart H. Johnson Greek Village.
Larissa Ferretiz, a junior at Converse University, has worked at Sully’s Steamers for about a year.
The restaurant also started accepting Flex Dollars, which is Converse’s equivalent to Terrier Bucks, shortly after accepting Terrier Bucks. With these two payment alternatives, Ferretiz has noticed a large influx of local college students dining at Sully’s.
“The more people have been finding out, the more I’ve seen (students) come, especially when they know we are open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays,” Ferretiz said.
David Alvis, associate professor of government and international affairs, was a part of the initial wave of people pushing for Sully’s Steamers to gain a spot in The Hub in 2022, and he has been so happy to see the popularity and growth.
“I don’t know much about the food industry, but as a political scientist, I know a lot about lobbying,” he said. “We are close friends of the owners of the franchise, Robert ‘Sully’ and Jill Sullivan, so I used my access to relentlessly make the case for the location near Wofford. I also used the ‘echo effect’ by having various leaders in the city contact Robert about opening a new location here. These are strategies we teach our students, and, at least in this case, it worked.”
The restaurant officially opened the new location on Dec. 1, 2022, and Alvis has since been a regular and says that Spike’s Delight is his favorite, “until they come out with the Alvis.”
Because faculty, staff and students alike frequented the restaurant so much, AVI made the executive decision to add Sully’s Steamers to the list of restaurants that accept Terrier Bucks.
Dan Deeter, director of business services and risk management, has “administrative responsibilities for our food service program,” and therefore had responsibility over this decision to add Sully’s.
He said that there is a waiting list of restaurants waiting to be added to the Terrier Bucks system, and that is how Sully’s was chosen.
“Low sales or violation of program rules may lead us to replace a restaurant,” Deeter said. “In this case, we had one spot available for a restaurant in the Hub. Sully’s was the first one that elected to participate. Once a participation is reached, AVI facilities (set) up the equipment necessary to operate.”
With this recent addition, the list of restaurants in the area that accept Terrier Bucks is now Cribbs Kitchen, RJ Rockers, Lime Leaf, Papa John’s and Sully’s Steamers.
Students at any college or university receive 10% off any purchase at Sully’s Steamers, but it is important to note that this promotion may not be “stacked” and, therefore, cannot be used in addition to Terrier Bucks.
Sully’s Steamers is located at 578 N. Church St., Ste. C.
It is open 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Terrier Bucks can be used during all operating hours.
Students who visit the bagel shop may also choose to partake in The Boss, which is an Italian-style bagel sandwich inspired by Wofford’s mascot, Boss the Terrier.
