Hurricane Market expansion increases variety in questionable ways.
This time last year, the Hurricane Market was TU’s little convenience store. It was good for candy, an emergency toothbrush and a Rockstar to fuel students during their all-nighters. Frequently, the best variety came in whatever was leftover from Sushi Blue or a recent event. These are all noble utilities for the 24/7 store that allows students to burn their dining dollars like kindling. Last year, steps were taken to enhance the space. The addition of ice cream and frozen meals were welcomed by students as a great way to satisfy the midnight munchies. However, it was worth wondering why the administration left the area across the Union so barren. This year, they have answered with the expansion.
With the recent renovation, the market feels like a genuine store. The new space is well lit, has standard hours and humans to scan your items. Indeed, it is the human touch that brings the most to the new store. Every employee has been a pleasure to interact with and their presence certainly helps curtail the easy shoplifting of the unmanned market. If there is one complaint of the new format, it would be the hours. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. feels just a hair too early to close. I know many are still sitting in night labs by 7 p.m. and they might enjoy being able to stumble into the expanded store after class. Perhaps a 9 p.m. closing would be welcomed. Furthermore, with so much on-campus dining closed or operating in a limited capacity on weekends, the new market being closed completely on weekends is disappointing. Even a small window of hours on Saturdays would be greatly appreciated. However, these are minor notes. In aesthetics, the new market seems to have escaped the dire straits of convenient store slop. However, the new inventory leaves much to be desired.
Everything that the old market has is still here but more technically diverse. More candies, cakes and chips fill the shelves. There is a greater selection of canned goods but still not exactly an excellent selection. Although, if you enjoy spongy canned meats, you will likely disagree. The copious stores of energy drinks and other questionable potions persist with the entrance marked with a palette and a half of Celsius. If you were looking for gasoline or cat food or, perhaps, jumbo fly swatters, you are in luck! Yes, many strides have been made in the stocking of deeply suspect items. The large bags of charcoal have to be my favorite but the Chef Boyardee mountain is similarly tickling. In addition, the candy is so massive in scope that it would be comical if the market was a candy shop alone.
Now, not all is lost. New ventures are promised to be on the horizon. The milkshake machine, popcorn and “smart bistro” all sit labeled as coming soon. While they are dormant, these additions hint that more could be in store. There are genuinely useful new items being stocked. The medication and cleaning supplies have greatly expanded, as well as personal body care items. The disposable dishware is a welcome inclusion and some new staples line the shelves. Peanut butter, flour and sugar all help enforce the feeling of progress towards the grocery store experience. In the end, though, the Hurricane Market seems to have transformed from a convenience store to bodega. Which is to say that, for now, it remains more or less the same.
