Spring break is around the corner, and our dining dollars have been reduced to a low $600 or $700. Nonetheless, very few people are actually worried about getting through the semester with the remaining dining dollars in hands. With the pre-paid 1500, 1200 or 500 dining dollars, we fearlessly make our way to the many on-campus dining facilities. "The Market" is one of them.
If you are still not familiar with this term, it is time to wisen up. The newly launched Charles Street Market, which has an Einstein Bros. Bagels, is currently serving the Hopkins community. It is certainly a step up from the tiny Depot to a more extensive convenience store.
The Charles Market, apart from Nolan's on 33 street, is in immediate proximity to the residents of McCoy, Wolman and Charles Common. It plays an absolutely essential role for students who rely heavily on their meal plans. Yet on the other hand, we are obligated to feed this monopoly.
The Market has its advantage of convenient distance and "fast" food: a bar with hot food, salads, soups, and made-to-order sandwiches. Rather than walking to Eddie's Market down on St. Paul Street or being shuttled to Superfresh or Giant, many have chosen to make their purchases at the Market.
While I was walking around the Market, browsing through the racks of snacks, kosher and vegetarian/vegan options, instant food and the fresh produce section, it wasn't difficult to notice the inflated prices. We've all noticed them.
A frequent complaint is "I've never seen a small box of cereal for more than 5 bucks," but not much can be done about it. The use-it-or-lose-it policy of our dining dollars compels us to shop here at the Market.
For the residents of the Bradford, Homewood and off-campus housing who opt out of the university meal plans, dining should be a more flexible and relatively cheaper activity. "Are you kidding me?" sophomore Allison Hoy says. Due to its convenient position, Hoy tends to make small purchases at the Market on the way back to her Homewood apartment. "They jack up the price so often!" she exclaims.
Although the Charles Street Market claims that it is competitively priced with neighboring food stores, some items there are still more expensive than those of Eddie's, Giant and Superfresh.
Final price, according to Dave Furhman, director of Dining Programs, is determined by Aramark, which bases its pricing on various factors including wholesale cost of product, overhead expenses and competitive environment and analysis.
Showing the boxes as proof, McCoy resident Keri Calkins seems displeased when I bring up the price. "The prices of the granola bars rose three times in two weeks, and each time I had to pay about 20 cents more. This is ridiculous!"
In fact, green/yellow bananas at Giant are sold at $0.29 each, whereas at the Market, they are marked at $0.59. The price has actually gone down since the time of the Depot: a banana back then costs $0.89. Can you imagine spending almost a dollar on a not-so-fresh fruit? Students often draw this kind of comparison.
When broached by the subject, Furhman responds, "It is unfair and inaccurate to compare prices at the Charles Street Market with supermarket behemoths like Safeway, Superfresh and Giant. We are not a supermarket and don't benefit from the enormous economies of scale that these chains enjoy."
Sophomore Charlie Sido shrugs his shoulders. "They are incredibly expensive, I'd rather go to Eddie's."
In fact, many students like Sido are left with a considerable amount of dining dollars at the end of each semester with no alternative for usage, especially those who have chosen to dine out or make their way to Eddie's, Giant and Safeway.
Take the time to observe the long lines in front of the cashiers, and you will realize how many people come to the Market to buy goodies. Sometimes the Market becomes a spot for a study break or a destination for an after dinner walk. Or perhaps you're like me, just browsing around.
No matter your reason for going to the Market, it is great to know that you will be safe when doing so.
"We make many of our business decisions based on what's convenient and safe for our students. We do not always make our business decisions based on what is necessarily financially viable," Furhman affirms.
"We want to create a retail environment where students feel good about shopping with us because we are terrifically convenient, have an awesome variety and are fairly priced."
