Students with a craving for pizza now have more options in Charleston.

In the past two months, both Villa Pizza and Papa Murphy’s have set up locations on Lincoln Ave.

Villa Pizza operates next door to Papa John’s, and Papa Murphy’s is located directly across the street from those two outlets.

Though the three chains are close to one another, Mayor John Inyart said that they are ultimately different enough to co-exist.

“I see these three as each having different customers depending what the customer is in the mood for that day,” Inyart said.

Villa Pizza is a sit-down restaurant, which hopes to attract families and groups looking to dine in. Charleston marks their second location, with the original having operated in Mattoon for 32 years.

John Arena, owner of Villa Pizza, said that he hopes to bring a bit of diversity to the city’s restaurant scene. “I didn’t come to Charleston to outdo anybody,” Arena said. “I didn’t come to Charleston to compete. I’m just here to offer something different.”

Papa John’s is a take home/delivery only outlet.

Papa Murphy’s is also strictly carry out, but offers a “take-and-bake” option.

Cold pizzas are made in the store, which customers then can take home and bake themselves.

Justin Mourning, who operates a Papa Murphy’s in Newton, Kan. and has helped with the Charleston outlet opening, said the take-and-bake feature will help draw customers to the restaurant.

The take-and-bake feature will help the outlet carve its own little niche in Charleston, he said.

Both new chains offer customers fresh ingredients daily, as opposed to frozen ingredients that have been shipped.

Cindy Titus, executive director of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, said that while there is something to be said for similar businesses operating near one another, only time will tell how these new pizza chains will fair.

“With the university, the city has a high population of people in that 18-24 age bracket,” Titus said. “And that age group certainly has an affinity for pizza.”

Inyart said that in the end, the residents themselves will determine whether or not Charleston has too many pizza outlets.

“The market will correct itself if there are too many,” he said. “In the meantime, companies are bringing in food options that they think will be supported by the community.”

Inyart said Charleston could stand to have other options and that a restaurant that offered food “like Grandma used to make” could succeed close to campus.

“It’s hard for additional restaurants to invest and try to break into the market if they’re not going to offer something different,” Inyart said. “I think one of the casual dining chains properly located could do well.”

Rob Siebert can be reached at 581-7945 or rjsiebert@eiu.edu.