Leo’s Corner, more commonly referred to as the C Store, is Hamline’s residential corner store. When I describe the C store to people who don’t go to Hamline, I call it a gas station without the gas. It’s filled with snacks and power ups and everything you could need. In theory. The problem is, the C store isn’t a gas station. It’s a place that a ton of students depend on to get basic food necessities if/when they can’t go to an actual grocery store. I lived on campus my first year, and now as a sophomore I live a few blocks off of campus, and let me tell you, the C store is not everything it could be. Here’s what I think the C store needs more of.
We All Got Microwaves For a Reason:
I get it. Hamline wants students to rely on Anderson for their meals. Sure, the C store has some microwave options in the very back if you’re good with hot pockets and the like. That’s probably good enough for MOST on campus students, but certainly not all, and certainly not off campus students. Microwave meals aren’t exactly healthy, but they’re quick and sometimes that is all you need. That being said, there are healthier microwave options that Hamline could invest in.
Everyone’s Got Stoves, Too:
Even if you don’t live in a house with your own stove, there are kitchens in every dorm that do allow you to make your own meals. Meals like pasta that you toss in a pot for fifteen minutes are lifesavers, and they’re scarcely available at the C store. More options would be so nice. Let’s be honest, sometimes making your own quick pasta meal is better than whatever it is Anderson is serving.
Sell Us Pot(s)!:
Don’t get too excited. What I’m saying is that Hamline should sell cheap kitchenware like pots, if they’re not going to bother keeping their dorm kitchens stocked. I lived in Sorin and there was a list of available kitchen supplies and I swear 90 percent of those listed items were absent. My roommate and I invested in a small pot we bought at target and it was an amazing decision. So do away with the Hamline merch you’re trying to sell (especially now that the bookstore is on campus) and use that space to sell some basics.
What is Fresh?:
I’d love for students to find out! There should be some more fresh fruits and vegetables available for sale besides apples and bananas. The Anderson selection is atrocious, so at least let us purchase some better options at the C store! Nutritional health is often so far down the list of a college student’s priority that if it’s not easily accessible, we don’t bother. Help your students by making it more accessible.
Do I think these changes will happen? No. But, man, it’d sure be nice if they did. Feeding yourself in college is hard, especially if you live on campus. Some easy changes to the C store would make eating a little easier and healthier for their students.