The Market, the popular convenience store in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center, will offer giveaways and product sampling this week in celebration of its reopening. The newly renovated store boasts an inventory nearly three times the size of the previous stock.
In addition to an expanded selection of snacks, fresh produce, drinks, household and school supplies and healthcare products, The Market now features an expansive assortment of organic goods.
“Through information gathered from self-surveys, we found that it was important for students to have healthier selections,” said Kami Duncan Gantt, marketing manager of Dining Services. “It’s our goal to listen to the entire campus and meet their needs.”
SMU students can now more easily implement a healthier diet into their collegiate lifestyle – which can help in the process of shedding or avoiding the dreaded “freshman fifteen.” Ann Selkowitz, author of The College Student’s Guide to Eating Well on Campus, says that variety is key and that students should include fruits and vegetables in each meal in addition to regular exercise.
Sophomore Stephanie Anderson says she appreciates the increase in healthful selections offered at the convenience store.
“I like to stay healthy, especially in my college environment,” Anderson said. “The newly renovated market gives me more options.”
The Market now provides the SMU community with more than 300 organic products to choose from including yogurt, crackers, frozen vegetarian burritos, soymilk and cheese, and even sweet treats like toaster pastries made from organic wheat flour. Additionally, the quick-mart features organic beauty products that include soaps, lotions and hair-care essentials.
Plans for the renovation not only took into account the increase in nutritious selections at SMU, but also the increase in basic convenience-store essentials like cleaning supplies and other household necessities. The Market also bolstered its cosmetics section to further accommodate the SMU community.
“The expanded inventory creates a one-stop-shop,” sophomore Lindsey Schortman said. “They have things that I would not have thought to purchase on campus.”
Offering a greater selection of products allows for ease and convenience – especially for those living on campus and for those who do not wish to give up their parking spot to run to an off-campus grocery store.
The Market operates Mondays-Thursdays 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays from 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
