At the end of each school year, residential Piedmont students flood the market in hopes of spending all of their market money before the semester is over and their credits get reset.
Depending on their meal plan, students receive a certain number of credits and market money to spend at the market, located next to the dining hall in the commons. The market is perfect if you’re not craving an enormous meal or if you’re looking for a cold or hot drink.
The market can be a lifesaver for students. As soon as students walk into the market, they’re typically greeted by a cheerful Starbucks employee-they’re always smiling and inviting students to glance over the menu. The Starbucks at Piedmont serves Starbucks goods, but it is not a Starbucks franchise itself.
The Starbucks at the market has everything you could imagine–refreshers, matcha, lattes, frappuccinos and much more. Who doesn’t love an ice cold frappuccino to wake you up in the morning? If you’re not a fan of any Starbucks drinks, you could also request smoothies.
If you’re not craving a drink from Starbucks, the market also offers a variety of options, including Coke products and water. For those with a sweet tooth, there are plenty of snacks, like candy bars, cookies and chips. The market has something for everyone, making it a go-to spot for students looking for a quick bite or drink between classes.
Market money can be spent at Starbucks or on any other concessions in the market. Although the prices at the market are somewhat high, students typically do not spend all their market money in one go. They usually spend most of their market money at the end of the semester.
Some Piedmont students shared their experiences with spending their market money at the end of the semester.
“Both semesters of my freshman year, I had over $100 left in my account, so I just spent it all in the last two weeks on snacks,” stated sophomore forensic science major Jessica Eanes.
“Last year, I had $80 left,” said sophomore psychology major Blessed Mutebi. “I spent it on a bunch of snacks and bought coffees for my mom and sisters when they helped me move out.”
When asked what items they would like to see at the market, the vast majority of Piedmont’s YikYak community students said they would like to see more energy drinks, such as Alanis and Celsius.
Students have also expressed a desire for more food options, such as bagels, personal pan pizzas and muffins.
“I wish they had more items. If they just switched things out on a monthly basis and added new options, the market would get a whole lot more traction,” said senior mass communications major Alexis Baumgardener. “If they’re advertising something new, I never really notice because they don’t advertise their latest products enough. I always just stick with something that I always get.”
Overall, the market caters to the diverse needs of students, making it a convenient and popular spot on campus. As Piedmont’s student body continues to grow and evolve, perhaps the market will evolve as well.
