Aiming to mitigate and prevent the COVID-19 outbreak, the school has combined the Grille with the Campus Store, creating the brand-new Hill-Mart. The goods available in this new store include clothing, snacks, instant meals, health and beauty products, school supplies, and much more.

  Hill-Mart was conceived from the idea of making a unified store to battle COVID-19. 

“Personally, I think [the protocols] makes it easier … there are more options; it gives them the chance to look at the entire thing [different from only going to the Grille],” said Hill-Mart worker Felicia London. Similar to many other places on campus, the store has a capacity limit and blue stickers to determine the appropriate six-feet for physical distancing. 

In like manner, besides following the recommended health protocols, the Hill-Mart has a specific section for all the products required by the guidelines of in-person classes and boarding students. The section includes alcohol wipes, face masks, and more.

  In addition, the store shifted to no-cash transactions. 

“[Cash] is the only way I would have been able to buy anything last year … I do understand they want to minimize as much contact as possible,” said Kyle Murray ’22. Cash is one of the most transferred objects, making it a probable means of infection.  A cashless shop prevents the transmitting of germs and COVID-19 and might also be considered easier and faster to many. 

  Although in Opening Conditions there are no cooked products like the once-popular quesadilla, Hill-Mart is constantly attempting to improve. 

“[Students] love it … we upped our game,” said Hill-Mart staff member Paul Fontana. Throughout the year, the Hill-Mart staff will be bringing new products from all sections to expand the range of possibilities and satisfy more students.