Campus Dining Services open a new attraction: C-Store

Convenience store carries coffee as well as cold medicine

The idea of a campus convenience store at Oberlin has been alive in discussions for years. But there wasn't a place to put it, and there didn't seem to be enough support from the administration. Finally, the store found itself backed into a corner.

The southeastern corner of the Snack Bar was transformed into the C-Store over the summer. A table was pushed out of the way, and walls were erected. The store is stocked with items ranging from cappuccino to cold medicine.

"It's in its infancy," said Mark Sustarsic, manager of Campus Dining Services. "We've had just a few customers, but most people love the idea."

Sustarsic said, "It was something we felt would be a great option for the community." The idea of the store finally took shape after urging from the office of the President, according to Sustarsic.

The store is open daily from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sustarsic said he thinks he knows when most students will want to shop at the C-Store. "When it's late in the evening," Sustarsic said, "and the weather is cold, and it's `Oh my god, I need something.'"

College junior Marissa Demetrius, a cashier at the C-Store, said the inaugural purchase was a pack of M & Ms. Since then, sales have been scarce. Demetrius said, "Hopefully when people find out about us, business will be booming."

Sustarsic is eager for feedback regarding the C-Store. "We want to cater to the students," Sustarsic said. "We want to know if they want more soups, more raviolis."

The items currently being stocked were chosen after contacting a similar store at Denison University. Sustarsic asked representatives of Denison which 20 products were their best sellers. Although many of Dension's top products are sold in Oberlin's Snack Bar, a number of toiletries and school supplies have found their way into the C-Store.

Although Sustarsic is pleased with the canteen, he is not entirely satisfied with the name. A contest will be held following Fall Break to find a new moniker. The award will be a $20 gift certificate to what is now known as the C-Store.

Sustarsic said that although cash is the primary mode of currency, students are able to use their munch-money. Munch-money, introduced by Campus Dining Services last year, allows students to put a certain amount of cash on their validine which then becomes instant credit. "If you're running around playing frisbee, you can just bring in your munch-money," Sustarsic said.