Ever since its unforeseen usurpation of the Cave, the C-Store has faded into the background of campus life on the Hill. Current upperclassmen will remember mourning the loss of the little nook with comfortable seating, a stage, and a resident electric keyboard, where student musicians used to hold open jam sessions on random weekday nights. The Cave was closed for construction at the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year, and after months of the doors being covered by opaque plastic film, the new C-Store was unveiled during interim 2024.
Plagued by infamy due to the nature of its opening, the C-Store also quickly racked up bad press due to sky-high prices. Many students viewed it as exploitative since it purported to be an alternative to students having to take a day trip into downtown Northfield for a grocery trip, but has prices that are too high to be a reasonable alternative. Since then, it had maintained this reputation of being expensive and somewhat inadequate — in my mind, that is — until I stepped inside a few weeks ago.
After a successful evening of rotting on the futon in my New Hall dorm room, I looked at the clock with a dawning realization that both Stav and the Cage would be closed before I could get to Buntrock. An ingenious idea formed in my head: I could go to the C-Store, which won’t close and afforded me even more time to spend on Instagram reels.
When I scanned my key card and walked into the familiar space to see what the damage to my bank account would be, I was instead pleasantly surprised to see fancy instant noodles for only $2.59. Looking around more, I encountered more items with unexpectedly non-astronomical prices: Kraft mac & cheese ($2.33), decently-sized premade burritos ($4.66), mini pizzas ($3.62), and Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches ($3.88). Other basic snacks such as chips ($2.95), cereal cups ($2.07), candy ($2.85-$4.92), and drinks ($2.63) were readily available to anyone in need of a late-night pick-me-up.
Of course, certain items are definitely meant for people in a higher tax bracket, such as specialty indulgences like Talenti gelato pints ($6.21) or fancy “Power Bowl” hot meals ($9.32). But for the average student there are plenty of convenient, quick food options that barely warrant a second thought about the price.
