UC Berkeley students may no longer need to venture to Shattuck Avenue to enjoy tri-tip sandwiches from the Brazil Cafe if a proposed branch of the shop is opened on campus as part of the campus' Lower Sproul redevelopment efforts.

While plans are still in their preliminary stages, the owners of the cafe have been discussing the possibility of expanding their business to campus with ASUC officials.

ASUC Auxiliary Director Nadesan Permaul said that a specific location for the site of the cafe cannot be determined until a plan is approved according to campus requirements, but that the cafe would be incorporated in the student union complex.

The owners of the cafe, which has locations on Shattuck and University Avenue, have been asked to turn in renderings and design ideas for the kind of service operation they envision for the campus location, he said.

Brazil Cafe owner Pedro Robin said he is pleased and excited to be working with the ASUC to potentially bring a branch of his cafe to campus.

"They give me an opportunity to go inside the campus, that's a big accomplishment for me," Robin said.

Permaul said that aside from meeting campus health, safety and construction requirements, plans for the cafe must go through the ASUC Store Operations Board, a board made up of students, faculty and staff that oversees business operations of the Bear's Lair. The board must approve a sustainable and reasonable business plan for projects before any plans for a contract can move forward.

"We are so far from a contract right now," Permaul said.

Yet Permaul added that students, including officers of the past two ASUC governments, have been enthusiastic about the idea of having the cafe come to campus.

Having the cafe be part of the Bear's Lair food court will give students dining alternatives, Permaul said.

"Part of the purpose of the Bear's Lair food court ... is to provide service to students," he said. "It's a convenient option."

Robin said a campus location will provide a location that is more accessible for customers on the other side of campus.

"Sometimes (customers) think it's a little far," he said. "Inside, it's going to be close for everybody."

Tags: BRAZIL CAFE, ASUC