Several new businesses made their way into Huskie country this summer.

New to DeKalb are Big Lots on Sycamore Road; Java 101, 901 Lucinda Ave.; Pizzeria Zia, 725 N. First St.; Moxie, 230 E. Lincoln Highway and Varsity Subs, 817 W. Lincoln Highway.

With the addition of these new stores, students have an alternative furniture store, a new coffee shop, a pizzeria, a sandwich shop and a trendy clothing store.

A new social spot on campus this year is Java 101, next door to Domino’s Pizza. Java 101 is a privately-owned franchise making its nationwide debut in DeKalb.

The central campus location is one reason people should try Java 101, manager Michael FitzGerald said. Java 101 is geographically closer to the Lincoln, Douglas, Stevenson and Grant residence halls than the Coffee Corner in the Holmes Student Center.

Java customers will be treated to “the best tasting coffee in town,” FitzGerald said. The shop will also offer free Internet access. FitzGerald said he prides himself on offering customers “great music and a great staff.”

Another business making its debut here is Varsity Subs.

Varsity Subs offers its customers a variety of subs as well as hot dogs and fries, salads, and Italian beef. Varsity Subs bakes their bread daily with their own ovens.

“The ultimate goal is to open other franchises on other college campuses in the Chicagoland area,” manager Fred Brognia said.

DePaul University in Chicago and Northwestern University in Evanston are considered potential expansion targets, he said.

For those students who may already have a full stomach, restaurants are not the only new businesses in town and on campus.

Nationally-recognized entrepreneur Megan Morrison opened a vintage clothing store called Moxie June 23. The two-story, 8,000 square-foot building is located at the former Malone’s Department Store building at 230 E. Lincoln Highway.

In addition to offering clothing, Moxie sells jewelry, kitchen appliances, bath products, candles and artwork, Morrison said.