By Ana Brennan
For On The Edge
Nov. 12, 2022
Eddy’s convenience store, missed by many Edgewood College students, is coming back in January with a new location and better facilities, college officials said last week.
In an interview with a reporter, Matthew Sullivan, Interim Vice President of Edgewood College, said that Eddy’s Express, located inside of Wingra Café, is a temporary placement for student use while the college plans and builds a permanent 24-hour self-checkout store in Wingra Café.
Students have yet to be notified of new store plans or location, he said.
The Aug. 16 downsizing of Eddy’s, formerly in Dominican Hall, surprised and frustrated many who have limited transportation to off-campus stores for urgent personal products or impromptu shared snacks, students said.
Abby Harless, an Edgewood sophomore, said there is no convenience store within close walking distance.
“Most of us do not have cars,” said Harless, an Edgewood sophomore. “It is an isolating feeling knowing that if I needed something after 10 p.m., I have no options.
“Uber is not really an option for many students because of its price. To get to a convenience store is one trip and you need to get back somehow. One Uber trip might not break the bank, but multiple trips add up.”
The nearest Walgreens is 1.6 miles away or a 40-minute walk. In the case of a hygiene emergency, 40 minutes is far too long to wait. Students have the option of buying a Metro Bus Pass for $20, but the last bus to come to the Edgewood bus stop is at 10:41p.m.
Students said that while Eddy’s Express was a good attempt at a replacement, it did not provide nearly half of the options that Eddy’s C-Store provided. Edgewood College student athletes said they are frustrated at the lack of options, particularly given the long hours of practice and games that could prevent them from getting food at Wingra Café or Phil’s.
“I think that Eddy’s used to have more of a variety of foods that benefited athletes more and now Wingra doesn’t have those options,” said Sydney Feldner, Edgewood sophomore who is on the soccer team. “I’m pretty frustrated with not having Eddy’s anymore because as a freshman last year, we were able to get larger sizes of snacks instead of just personal sizes.”
Commuting students said they have also felt the absence of Eddy’s.
“I thought I was going to be able to stay at Edgewood during the day and not have to drive to another convenience store, but without Eddy’s C-Store, I find myself having to leave campus multiple times a week,” said Maddie Miles, Edgewood sophomore who commutes.
Edgewood College’s website still advertises Eddy’s C-Store as open and available to students. Eddy’s C-Store is “open late night all week long” on the Campus Dining page of the website. It also claims to still have over 100 items sold and a F’Real machine. All the information is outdated.
Nichole Rosa-Robinson, Assistant Director of Facilities Operations, said the college has multiple possibilities for Eddy’s former space in Dominican Hall, adding that “no decisions” have been made at this time.
About the Author:
Ana Brennan is a sophomore at Edgewood College majoring in sonography. Her family lives in Sun Prairie.
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