New on-campus convenience store opens its doors
Market is open on the first floor of the SUB from Monday to Friday
A new on-campus grocery option opened in Dalhousie University’s Student Union Building on Jan. 12, aiming to bring affordable and convenient on-campus food options to students.
Market, operated by Dine on Campus and Compass Group Canada, offers hot food, drinks and everyday essentials to students. This includes laundry detergent, milk and menstrual products all in one location.
The new convenience store on campus aims to provide students with easy access to student must-haves while they’re on the go, says Charvi Gambhir, assistant food service manager for Dine on Campus.
“It’s very convenient for the kids,” she says. “I know how hard it is to walk all the way to another location just to grab something essential. Being able to get that in 10 or 15 steps from where you actually live on campus is a godsend.”
Gambhir said Market plans to expand its food offerings in the next two weeks, adding premade items such as breakfast sandwiches, pizzas and salads.
Lizzie Dak and Vylet Schultz are both second-year neuroscience students at Dalhousie. They decided to check out the store after noticing the grand opening advertisements around the SUB.
“It’s good because they’ve got non-food products, like laundry detergent and grab-and-go items,” says Schultz.
Affordability is a “core consideration” in the opening of Market, said Maren Mealey, DSU president, in an email to the Dalhousie Gazette.
“While it is not intended to function as a discount grocery store, every effort has been made to keep prices as low as possible and close to standard retail rates,” she said. “This approach is intentional, ensuring that students are not paying inflated convenience prices for essential food items and everyday necessities.”
Mealey said the store’s hours will give students access to a reliable on-campus option for snacks, meals and essential items throughout the day. Market is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, closing at 6 p.m. on Fridays. The shop isn’t currently open on weekends.
“Keeping prices low, alongside extended hours until 7:00 p.m., helps make the Market a more accessible option for students who may face time, transportation, or scheduling barriers when shopping off campus,” Mealey said.
“We see this Market as a meaningful step toward creating a campus that listens to students and better supports their day-to-day lives!”
