In a little corner of Akron, located right off of N Howard St and Furnace St, there is an absolute gem — Luigi’s. They are known for a lot, from their super cheesy pizza and salad to endless lines out of the door, but most of all they are known for their cash-only payment system. After 77 years, the restaurant switched to credit card payment this April. 

Luigi’s was forced to switch to credit card payment after their cashless ATM broke down on March 3 and was unable to be fixed. Luigi’s was not the only business affected, but it may have been the one most largely impacted. 

Gone are the days where people would have to scrounge for cash in their cars or rush to the ATM in the back to pay the bill — they can now easily reach in their wallet and pull out their AMEX. 

Senior Sloane Petersen, an avid Luigi’s customer, said “My family and I have been going there since I was a kid, and love the tradition behind cash-only payment, but it’s much easier to pay with a card nowadays.” 

Many share the same sentiments as Petersen, as most restaurants take credit card and promote it as the easier option. Some eateries are even getting rid of cash payment altogether to make the process of coin counting easier. 

Senior Aidan Driscoll has avoided Luigi’s even though it’s down the street. With the recent news, his tune changed. Driscoll said “Now that they take credit card, I have to go and try it.” 

Although many are incredibly sad about the end of tradition and the modernization of old establishments, this new opportunity will bring large financial success for Luigi’s, as well as new age business.