No one pulls a fast one on us. Not even the man himself.
Returning TU students were devastated last week in the wake of the 11th Street QuikTrip shutting down early August.
I didn’t believe it myself, at first. I drove the length of campus three times before I finally accepted it. The building — once a monument to late studiers and party animals alike — was desecrated by mysterious forces at work.
The Collegian’s top-tier investigative journalists have worked tirelessly, day and night, to find the culprit. Most would pin the blame on the franchise itself.
QuikTrip stated that this location was “unable to deliver the hallmark QT experience we and our customers expect.” Truth be told, if the experience is anything other than stocking up on booze, taquitos, soft pretzels and Big Qs full of coke and seven pumps of vanilla, then we don’t want it. This is the five-star service TU students have experienced for almost 40 years and no one was complaining. Unless…
We have to ask ourselves, what has changed after four decades for our beloved QT?
Sadly, it’s TU that has changed. While students remained loyal to our favorite convenience store, administration had different plans. A story of betrayal unravels before us.
TU admin have always clamored for ways to keep students spending their money on campus. It is not enough to fine us every day because UPS is playing keep-away with parking passes we ordered months ago. We spend our meal trades at the Union and pretend we aren’t getting ripped off at every turn. We deal in fake currencies for the tax break. Students already rack up thousands in debt unless they secure scholarships and break their backs working for various TU departments which guarantee meal, housing or tuition waivers.
Look at the changes on campus in the last three years: students have no reason to leave campus for Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Mexican or Italian food. TU now distributes its own branded vodka, Perfect Storm. Concerts and parties galore are hosted by TU event programming, right on campus. President Brad Carson has worked tirelessly to bring convenience, booze and caffeine straight to our doorstep so that students never have to leave to spend their crumpled dollars elsewhere.
That brings me to the final blow that killed our cherished QT — the expansion of Hurricane Market.
Ancient super-seniors like myself will tell you that the big Hurricane Market (not to be confused with the smaller 24/7 Hurricane Market Express) used to be the location where Subway once stood. The annex went vacant for a few semesters as the university decided what to do with it.
The new and vastly improved Hurricane Market now stands tall in all its glory, as it has emerged the winner against its lackluster competition with QT. Carson knew he would have to interfere with our QT’s operations if Hurricane Market ever stood a chance in coming out on top. Knowing students would never turn their backs on ol’ reliable, Carson must have found a way to kill the competition himself.
It’s a tale as old as time — a journey of love and treachery. How do we honor our QT? Never forget.
Our beautiful QT passed on too soon. A small service will be held in the old parking lot Friday evening by those who are able to hop the fence. Bring your own BuzzBallz.
