A new source of grab-n-go shopping is coming to campus this October. Once the beloved “C-Store,” Bear Necessities is set to be an Amazon walk-out store, where students can use prepaid methods to simply walk in, grab their items of choice, and walk out. This technological feat is meant to rival the 24/7 smoothie machine, also yet to be made available to students.
“I’ve been waiting for my strawberry mango smoothie for weeks? And all I’ve seen is Disney Plus and Netflix on the machine’s TV screen. What is that about?,” asked Shaheen Bassiri ‘26.
Yet some concern about the store and its advanced technology has been bubbling amongst the student population. Besides the delayed opening, some students are wary of the detection technology that has been seen being installed in the past weeks. Without a human cashier, students will have to rely on the detection sensors to charge them for the correct items appropriately – and students aren’t confident in this new technology.
“We can’t even get working printers! How do they think an advanced walk out store is going to work out?,” exclaimed one student who wished to remain anonymous because they don’t want to be associated with criticism of the college.
Former “C-Store” Enthusiast David Kenny ‘25, expressed his concern, going so far as to claim that the new Bear Necessities could act as Ursinus’s Big Brother. Kenney was also concerned that the new store would experience a lot of theft. “I have a feeling that thievery is going to be at an all time high. I also have a feeling that Ursinus is going to flag me for taking too many Devour Mac & Cheeses. I love my Devour Mac & Cheese.”
Uncertainty remains as to how the store will function, yet there is still some optimism to be found about Bear Necessities. The self-manned shopping experience is of no concern to Ursinus College Investment Management Company CEO, Allie Nenish ‘25, who states, “If people can serve their own ice cream in Upper with no problems, I don’t expect this new C-Store to pose any threats.”
Bear Necessities remains in progress, with an anticipated opening in October. Students can expect an inand-out shopping experience, with no lines and expanded options. Regardless of the privacy concerns, the lack of a “C-Store” on this campus for the first months of the school year has been felt.