The Maker’s Market: Overhyped?

By: Elijah Dapkus

On Jan. 17, Bon Appetit opened up the Maker’s Market in the Klages Center. The convenience store-esque establishment seeks to bring expedient snacking to students.

Before the 2020-21 school year, the Klages Center overflowed with students each lunch break, all eager to eat at the Bruin Bites Cafe. It was an alternative option to the Bridge Cafe and Canyon Commons, serving cooked food and tasty grab-and-go options, considered by many to be the best on campus. Closed in 2020 for undisclosed reasons, the absence of the Bruin Bites Cafe made the arrival of the Maker’s Market all the more anticipated.

Services like the Maker’s Market have performed well at other universities. Oregon State has markets positioned outside of dormitories, selling college necessities like groceries and hygiene products at a decent price.

However, the Maker’s Market may not be as special as we thought. One potential drawback is that it does not currently accept cash for payment. This may pose issues for students without meal plans or bank accounts. Price and location have raised concern as well. The Klages Center seems to be a strange place for a student market; it’s located far from most on-campus housing. Finally, it may not live up to the standard set by the Bruin Bites Cafe. So, what do students think?

The Maker’s Market photographed by Elijah Dapkus.

A survey conducted by The Crescent uncovered some student opinions on the Maker’s Market. Students rated the convenience, location, and staff of the new locale highly. One patron paid special compliments to the staff and promised to visit them often. Students reported they weren’t concerned by the lack of a cash payment option, and residents of the east side of campus reported that they didn’t mind the walk. (If they did, Canyon Commons is a stone’s throw away.)

Some students also gave high marks to the quality of products and vibe, yet they rated the variety of products as mostly average. One student noted how they “look forward to when a greater variety of foods come in.” Some students hoped for “warm meals” like those served at Bruin Bites Cafe, but most never experienced the old cafe or didn’t seem to mind the change.

The greatest blemish on the Maker’s Market’s reputation is the price. Only three students replied that the price was great or better. One student jabbed, “They’re making me pay tuition all over again for a shrimp wrap.” Additionally, while the ratings were mostly positive, comments revealed other feelings. Some responders seem surprised that the Maker’s Market is more like a “gas station” than a cafe. One commenter suggested if they wanted certain snacks, they would “go to Grocery Outlet for better value.”

Overall, the Maker’s Market is neither a smash hit nor a colossal failure. It seems as if it was made to catch hungry students where they like to relax rather than out of necessity. Price-gouging is its one massive flaw. So while it’s nothing like the old Bruin Bites Cafe, if you’re curious about it and need a snack between classes, it would be worth a stop.