By Laura Pelner
Summer Reporter

Students looking for a quick and convenient place to buy more laundry detergent or toothpaste should look to the mini marts and grills in many of the University residences for their basic shopping needs.

The mini marts are like traditional convenient stores, said Ken Field, the coordinator of cash operations.

They carry everything from health and beauty aids to chips and pop. Specifically, they have grocery items, frozen entrees, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, milk and juice, Jelly Belly jelly beans and other bulk candy and even some branded items like Subway sandwiches, explained Field.

There are mini marts and grills in a lot of the University Residences. Meredith Hall has the Boiler Crossing and Tarkington Hall has the Boiler Junction — both are mini marts.

The Boiler Connection in Harrison Hall, the Knight Spot Grill in Cary Quadrangle and the Boiler Metro in Hawkins Graduate House are all grills.

To purchase items in the mini marts and grills students can use their dining dollars, their Boiler Express accounts or cash. Dining dollars are automatically included with all meal plans and act as a debit account. A Boiler Express account is also a debit account, but students control it because they make deposits from their own money supply. Both dining dollars and Boiler Express are used through a student identification card.

Also, the Boiler Metro in Hawkins accepts credit cards for purchases.

Field said that one reason why the different payment options are significant is because with a student ID card, or a credit card, students do not have to worry about using cash.

The main reason students should shop at the mini marts and grills is convenience, especially since they are right downstairs or across the street, said Field.

"We try to make sure our prices are competitive with other local convenience stores, especially the high-volume items," he said.

The mini marts and grills try to have items that students want. "The management tries to be receptive to student requests for new products," Field said.

To that end, the bakery at Hillenbrand Hall is looking to expand its menu next year. It will expand the hours into the evening and is in the process of adding Starbucks coffee. Owen Hall is also trying to add Starbucks.

The mini marts are open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Boiler Connection at Harrison Hall is open from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Field said the long extended hours of operation are another comfort for students.