A FRESH LOOK along with a fresh cup of coffee is what’s in store at University Mart. The independently owned convenience store had a grand opening in September.
Located at 51 Empire St., Providence, the market is positioned to appeal to Johnson & Wales University students and staff, as well as downtown workers, said owner Viral Patel.
Patel owns the business along with his brother, Amit Patel, and a business partner, Hassan Namat-Ullah. The market plans to hire a few part-time employees.
The merchandise ranges from the expected – snack foods, bottled soda, milk and some perishables – to the unexpected: CBD products and a Bitcoin machine.
The market will have grab-and-go style sandwiches but not a full-service deli. It has fresh brewed coffee from Chock full o’Nuts.
Patel is a graduate of Johnson & Wales, and the partners own several similar stores in Massachusetts.
They chose the name, University Mart, to connect the store to the nearby campus.
“It made sense for me because the school is so close,” Patel said.
Mary MacDonald is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Macdonald@PBN.com.