Variety is the spice of life and the ingredient that drives students to Hillsborough Street.

The additions of a Dunkin’ Donuts-Baskin Robbins hybrid, Charley’s, a submarine sandwich eatery, and Maanjri Lounge have made some students reconsider their feelings toward the campus mainstay that has long lived in the shadow of Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street.

“There is still a long way to go to make it more Franklinish, but it looks like they are trying to move in more stuff aimed at college students,” Dustin Crouch said as he waited for his order at I ‘Heart’ NY Pizza, one of Hillsborough’s most popular vendors.

Crouch and Chris Sumner, both seniors in aerospace engineering, said Hillsborough had changed for the better in their four years at the University.

“There is more variety than there used to be,” Sumner said. “It’s getting better with more four and five dollar food specials for the college crowd.”

Randy Bennett, manager of The Record Exchange, said the array of food merchants was good for all Hillsborough Street businesses.

“I think all the food places that are opening are pretty diverse,” Bennett said. “It gets kids to come over here from campus.”

Despite the accolades, Hillsborough Street still retains a negative perception for many students who frequent the area.

B.J. Barham, a senior in communication and Record Exchange employee, said he wants to see the street that his parents used to know as Hillsborough.

“All I hear is how Hillsborough Street used to be,” Barham said. “It used to be a Franklin Street, now we would rather go down to Glenwood.”

Bennett said pedestrian numbers have dwindled in The Record Exchange’s years at its Hillsborough location.

“There is less traffic on Hillsborough Street now than 12 years ago,” Bennett said. “I think the bums keep people away and we definitely need more parking.”

Barham said a revitalization of the street could start with improved nightlife.

“It would be nice to have a couple more bars–and not old people bars; bars that students would actually go to,” he said. “It would help get more students out at night.”

Student nightlife, according to Sumner, is exactly what Raleigh city officials are trying to avoid.

“The City of Raleigh does not like students,” Sumner said. “The old people that live behind Hillsborough are sticklers, which is part of the reason why Hillsborough will never be that great.”

Crouch said city council’s relationship with the students is besides the fact.

“They kind of neglect the money-making potential of the street.”