New grocery store opens on Walnut St.

With its pink tile floor gleaming and brightly-colored bags of potato chips lining its walls, Market Street Market opened yesterday without much fanfare. The new grocery store is located on the 3900 block of Walnut Street, in the storefront formerly occupied by Convenient Food Store. Convenient Food Store was destroyed in an arson fire last February, and since that time, Superblock residents have depended on the Uni-Mart at 40th and Locust streets or the commissaries in the dormitories to satisfy their cravings for late night snacks. As she bought a package of gum at Market Street Market last night, College sophomore Melanie Ried said she thinks the new store is "just like all the others," and about as far from her room as Uni-Mart. But Ried's friend Jill Resnick, a College sophomore, said she is pleased with the market's selection -- especially because it includes her favorite Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor, coffee almond fudge. Fellow Superblock resident Elyse Dorkin, a College junior, was celebrating her 20th birthday last night, and stopped in at the shop on her way home. "A new food place on campus -- it's exciting," she said, adding that because the market is much cleaner than its predecessor, she feels better about buying her food there. Hyun Kee Hwang, the market's co-owner, said business was slow yesterday. He attributed the lack of customers to the absence of a sign outside the store. Hwang added that the store should have its outdoor sign up sometime next month. He also said the store is not yet fully prepared to cater to students' needs. "We don't have the bread," Hwang said, gesturing to the wide, empty area in front of the cash register. "We need a lot more stuff." Among the items the market plans to carry to distinguish itself from the Thriftway grocery store at 43rd and Walnut streets are gourmet products and Oriental foods, Hwang said. Market manager Ted Nicholas was waiting behind the deli counter for customers last night. He didn't have much luck. "A lot of [students] were surprised that we were open [yesterday]," Nicholas said. "We just aim to please, that's all." He added that the store plans to be "more dedicated to customer satisfaction" than Convenient Food Store. To that end, he said he welcomes suggestions from students about products the store should be carrying. "If people show up, it'll be an experience they'll remember," Nicholas said, when asked to describe what makes Market Street Market different from the Uni-Mart or the Wawa at 38th and Spruce streets. "They'll be glad to come back," he added. The Market Street Market store that opened yesterday is the third in a chain of convenience stores which Hwang and his brother own in the city. It will be open from 9 a.m. until 1 a.m. during the week, and until 2 a.m. on weekends.

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