Student Senate members, along with members of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce, met last week to discuss bringing new businesses to Charleston.

Kyle Donash, a student senate member and External Relations Committee chair, said a survey taken on what students want revealed that many students wanted a 24-hour sit down restaurant.

Students would like to see restaurants like Applebee’s and TGI Fridays, he said.

“These restaurants have a population requirement that exceeds more than Charleston can acquire,” Donash said.

Cindy Titus, the executive director of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce, said other popular businesses such as Panera and Cosi’s require a high traffic count and more upscale areas.

“Restaurants like Country Kitchen have been contacted, but they need someone who is willing to invest and buy a franchise,” Titus said.

Titus said current Charleston businesses such as Jitters and Bliss are tweaking their menus to more of an up-scale variety of coffee and tea to convert to more of what students would like.

“We are more serious this year about working on bringing more businesses to Charleston because there are more noticeable and available spaces on Lincoln,” Titus said.

Space is available in Charleston for potential businesses, Titus said.

“Vacant lots such as Hardee’s and How Ya’ll Are restaurants are also being looked at as future developments; however, it is hard when properties such as Long John Silver’s are involved in litigation disputes,” Titus said.

Donash said the issue has been discussed for the past three years but not much has been done.

“If we get more businesses in Charleston, then maybe more students will come to Eastern,” Donash said. “We need more variety in Charleston for the community and students.”

Because of the lack of business, Charleston is losing sales tax to other communities, Titus said.

More than 200 businesses have been contacted about coming to Charleston, but “it’s a continual process that takes time,” Titus said.