WSU has always been a part of the family for Shane Markel, owner of the university’s three newest restaurants.

When he was young, his dad Greg, a WSU graduate, owned Rico’s Pub. Greg, owner of Washington Securities and Investment Corp., also owned the original Sea Swiper before it was brought back to Pullman, where it opened in the CUB last month.

This week, Markel will open his latest contribution to the WSU community, Dupus Boomer’s, the only sit-down full-service restaurant and bar in the CUB.

“It is really wonderful to be back in Pullman and be able to give back to the community,” he said.

Family and friends of Markel were given a private preview of the restaurant during the weekend. Markel did not specify which day the restaurant would open to students.

“We have not decided on the day, but it will be sometime this week,” he said. “We want to make sure we’re ready to meet the challenges of taking care of our guests.” Dupus Boomer’s menu offers options for various occasions and price ranges. Items include lower-priced sandwiches and salads, as well as higher-priced prime rib and pastas. The restaurant also features an extensive list of beers and wines.

“Our menu is a lot like The Cheesecake Factory,” Markel said. “It has a lot of variety and a lot of options depending on what the customer is looking for.” Markel said the restaurant’s goal is to become the premier place for both students and community members to go around campus. Once open to the public, Dupus Boomer’s will be open from 6 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Wednesday and from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

“We expect it to be very popular, especially on football weekends and other weekends where the alumni come back,” CUB Associate Director Ryan Lahne said.

Dupus Boomer’s also has a stipulation in its contract to be the only full-service restaurant with alcohol allowed on central campus.

The restaurant got its name from a Dick Donnell cartoon that ran in the weekly Richland Villager from 1945 to 1950.

Markel also owns The Sea Swiper and the Markel Coffee House, both of which opened recently. All three dining facilities are on the CUB ground floor.

The Markel Coffee House provides espresso drinks, coffee and pastries. The Sea Swiper provides seafood items, such as oysters, clams and chowders.

“We hope that the business we bring in will translate to more business to the ones upstairs,” Markel said. “We want them to be just as successful as us.”