When Century Theatres opened in Church Street Plaza, Evanston restaurant owners looked forward to the extra business the theaters would bring them. But despite business increases, some restaurant owners still say they are dissatisfied that they are missing out on the benefits of a strong relationship with Northwestern.

“If the community had a better relationship with NU, they would see how much a university has to offer the community,” said Peter Thomas, owner of Unicorn Cafe.

“They would then build more local developments to benefit the university, such as a bowling alley instead of a Sears, a performing arts center instead of a big chain store,” he said.

Some downtown Evanston restaurateurs say they are disappointed with the re-election of Ald. Arthur Newman (1st), despite his involvement in the Century Theatres project. Unicorn Cafe, Olive Mountain and Lulu’s endorsed Kellogg Prof. Allan Drebin for the First Ward because he promised a better relationship with NU, which owners said would have long-term benefits for their restaurants.

Thomas said he would prefer to make Evanston a town attractive to college students rather than turning it into another commercial town “like Schaumburg or Old Orchard.”

“I think my restaurant is the type of place that students will remember,” he said. “When they think of Northwestern and Evanston, they won’t remember Urban Outfitters or The Gap.”

But other restaurateurs are celebrating Newman’s victory.

“If Newman hadn’t been alderman, I don’t think we’d have a restaurant,” said Dave Glatt, owner of Dave’s Italian Kitchen. “For a number of years most of the city council members wanted to make our former restaurant property into city property, and Newman stood up for my restaurant.”

Glatt celebrated the incumbent’s victory by hosting Newman’s election night party Tuesday his restaurant.

Regardless of their political preference, most restaurant owners are praising the theaters, which Newman said he was instrumental in bringing to Evanston.

“The theater has helped us,” said Chris Fuller, manager of Flat Top Grill. “I’ve seen a lot of people coming in after they go to the theater.”

Outsiders from northern suburbs are more likely to visit Evanston because of the theaters, said Ahmed Saleh, owner of Olive Mountain.

“We’ve seen an increase of about 10 percent in business this past month,” Saleh said. “Before, by 8:30 p.m., things would start to quiet down, but now we have steady business, on the weekends especially.”

Dan Kelch, Lulu’s owner, said Newman was not an integral part of the Century Theatres project.

“The push to put the theaters there was brought about by a lot of people including the university,” he said.

Newman said his role in the development of Century Theatres did not affect the outcome of municipal elections.

“I think we’ve done plenty to help the businesses of downtown Evanston,” Newman said. “We’ve provided parking and new sidewalks. In the next year, we’re looking to build 1,300 parking spaces on Sherman Plaza.”

Thomas said he hopes a kiosk in the theater will soon advertise local restaurants and shops, which was part of the city council’s original plan.

Weinberg sophomore Karey Fuhs said the opening of Century Theatres already has made it more likely for students to go out to dinner in downtown Evanston.

“Since the theater opened, I’ve been to about 10 movies,” Fuhs said. “A lot of times when I go to the movies it’s a whole dinner and movies deal, and I’ve seen older people doing that too.”