Mack's Market :

By Natalie Wheeler, Staff Writer -- wheelern12@up.edu

Students are already clamoring to Bon Appétit's new grocery store, Mack's Market, despite a quiet opening on Jan. 18.

Mack's Market – which was nostalgically named after a torn down neighborhood market near Tyson Hall – takes meal plan points in addition to cash or card.

Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the basement of The Commons, Mack's Market is meant to offer cheaper pricing and a broader food selection than other on-campus options.

"It's not going to be Fred Meyer pricing, but it's not going to be like it was at (The Commons)," Kirk Mustain, general manager of Bon Appétit, said. "We're really staying away from all the organics and those sorts of things. It's meant to be cost-conscious because that's what we keep hearing people want."

Mustain said Bon Appétit did not advertise the opening of Mack's Market in order to have time to work out the kinks. Nevertheless the store has already become a regular run for many on-campus students, including freshman Josilyn Vankat.

"I've probably been about four times already," Vankat said. "I'm able to use my points so I just go in for snack stuff and things for my room."

Mack's Market is currently open 40 hours a week, around the schedule of a single employee, Kenneth Beck. Mustain says the store will add more hours if the demand is present.

"We'll start slow and focus on something attainable for us right now, and if we feel that there's a definite need then we'll either shift some employee hours or add more to open up the schedule a bit more," Mustain said.

In an effort to combat stealing, Bon Appétit has also installed security cameras and put up signs in the new store asking students to leave backpacks in the hall.

The Market's sole employee, Beck, said the store has remained active despite its hushed opening.

"Towards the second half of lunch or throughout dinner, it'll actually be pretty busy down here," Beck said. "People like it because it's a lot of packaged, familiar stuff."

In addition to the familiar foods, many students cite the ability to use points and convenience as reasons they like Mack's Market. However, some students still question the prices of Bon Appétit's new store.

"I really do like it because it's so convenient, but they obviously rip you off," freshman David Pinkerton said. "Like they have Cup O' Noodles at the store for a dollar, and they're three for a dollar at Fred Meyer. If they were to just buy them from Fred Meyer and sell them they would be making a 300 percent profit."

According to Mustain, Bon Appétit cannot get the bulk discounts that Fred Meyer can. Instead, Mustain said the store is meant to rival other small convenience stores.

"We tried to keep the prices pretty reasonable down there," Mustain said. "We're more like 7-Eleven prices there. It's snacks you can stick in your dorm room – popcorn, Top Ramen, pasta, spaghetti, sauce, milk – which I think is a demand that's needed to be filled on campus."