By Lois G. Russell
Alabama State University has launched a new and innovative on-campus shopping experience that provides a new level of convenience, particularly for ASU students.
The official ribbon cutting for the Hornet Hive Market was held on Tuesday, March 22. The facility is located in the Fred Shuttlesworth Dining Hall, which stands near student residence halls and the John Garrick Hardy Student Center.
The store is the newest venue managed by Aramark, the company that provides a variety of food services for the University.
“This store has been in the works for more than a year,” said Aramark general manager and ASU alumnus, Xavier Hicks. “Our company works in collaboration with ASU’s administration to provide great experiences for students. The Hornet Hive is really a campus convenience store. We have everything from laundry products and toiletries to snack foods, cold beverages, over-the-counter medicines, paper products, face masks, and more. The store also contains a mini-restaurant that will serve a variety of hot food items.”
The Hornet Hive Market grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was held in a festive atmosphere, featuring live entertainment, prizes and tours of the facility. Students and employees lined up after the event to be the first to experience the market.
“This is indeed a momentous occasion,” said Dr. Carl Pettis, ASU’s provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. “This facility helps to ensure that our students have adequate access not only to food items but also to other products that they need without having to leave campus to get them.”
While the store will be open to ASU employees, alumni and visitors, students are the primary beneficiaries of the Hornet Hive offerings.
“I applaud Mr. Hicks and his team members for bringing in another great resource for our students,” said Dr. Derrick Brewster, ASU’s vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. “I also believe that the University’s faculty and staff will be able to utilize this market, particularly myself because I saw nachos and jalapenos in here and I can’t wait to have the opportunity to taste them!”
SGA President Gem Richardson feels students will be excited to take advantage of what the market has to offer.
“I am very excited that Aramark and our University are bringing this store to our campus. It is centrally located and easily accessible for students, and it has many of the items that we need whether we live on or off campus. This facility shows that the University is focused on student success at every level,” Richardson said.
The Hornet Hive Market will be open daily at 7:30 a.m. and will remain open on most days as late as 11 p.m.