PULLMAN, Wash. A new market, opening this fall in the Compton Union Building, will welcome students back to Washington State University
Union Marketing Services surveyed students last spring, asking what type of vendor they would like in the CUB and 45 percent of students answered with convenience store.
“After we saw an overwhelming desire for this type of vendor, we did some more research and found that there was a need for late night coffee and snacks,” said Ashley Fagerlie, assistant director of Union Marketing Services at the CUB. “We were able to partner with dining services to make this happen.”
The new store named Union Marketplace, in reference to the student union, will focus on providing an individualized array of products for students. The store will sell typical convenience store items in addition to espresso and made-to-order foods. Union Marketplace will also have a concept area selling salads and made-to-order gyros.
Students have the opportunity to ask for specific items they would like to see in the store by completing this year’s Compton Union Vendor Satisfaction Survey. The survey closes April 29 and was sent to all student e-mails.
“Our biggest customer is students, so we want to hear what they have to say.” Fagerlie said, “The benefit of working with Dining Services is that we are able to customize the product selection.”
Union Marketplace will boast state-of-the-art serving wells, allowing even closer catering to what students want. Dining Services Director Gary Coyle said the serving wells let him switch from hot to cold items in a matter of minutes.
“If a student walks up and says, ‘Hey we would love to see a banana split bar,’ well guess what. We can make that switch from gyros to banana splits very easily,” Coyle said.
With efforts to individualize items for students, the store will sell vegetarian items including a Greek salad and a vegetarian gyro. Union Marketplace will also sell healthy options such as sushi, fresh fruit and yogurt parfaits.
Union Marketplace will be open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to midnight in the CUB.
“I think the students will find the accessibility most appealing,” Coyle said.