At the start of the fall 2024 semester, Blue Mountain Christian University began offering a new, mobile culinary option. This was a food truck called the Zest Express. It was open for fast food takeout for lunch on weekdays. It began operations on August 19, 2024. In early September 2024, BMCU chief operating officer Ms. Joyce Peters announced that it would be opening a physical location. This location is now called the Topper Mountain Market.
This new experience has been in the works for two months according to Becky Coates, who is the spearheading employee behind the project. Ms. Coates says this project was inspired by listening to the existing student body of BMCU. The desire for another option for the students’ dining needs was gathered through a survey conducted by the culinary department back in the spring. Coates admits that “students should not have to drive to Ripley for other options that are more trendy and casual.”
Under the moniker of Topper Mountain Market, this new campus dining option will be “different from what the cafeteria already offers and from what the Zest Express served,” says Coates. “Food will be similar to Subway, such as made to order deli meat sandwiches, chopped Cobb salads, homemade chicken salad on croissants, and hoagies. Everything will be made in front of the customer. Nothing is frozen, only fresh ingredients.” All the recipes were researched and first prepared in a test kitchen over the summer with officials from the MMI corporation.
Side dishes will include fruit cups, Italian pasta salad, reskinned potato salad, macaroni salad, and an assortment of potato chips. For dessert, gourmet jumbo cookies and brownies such as chocolate chip cookies and lemon cooler cookies will be available. In the future, specialty drinks such as flavored coffee drinks and milkshakes will be offered. Currently, however, the restaurant has the ability for only regular coffees.
The Market opened on Monday, September 16th, with the first meal offered being lunch. The hours are from 11 am-2 pm for lunch, and supper is from 5-9 pm. The market is open Monday through Friday, with no plans for that to change at this time. Students will be the first customer base to be able to eat there. The public and students with no meal plans can eat there in the future. Prices will be affordable, between $7.00 to $10.00.
Meal plans can either be used at the cafeteria or the market each day. Meals can be enjoyed for dine in or takeout. Students will not be able to eat at both places in the same day. However, if students want to hang out at the market, that will be allowed in the after class hours of the day. Some snacks will eventually be available for purchase to these students.
Additionally, the Market will be more than just another venue for dining. There will be opportunities for studying, community hangouts and outdoor activities, such as evening cornhole tournaments. There are or will soon be picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, and bistro sets for students and the community alike to enjoy.
Ultimately, Ms. Coates said that this new space is for the students. “I want students to feel welcome and feel free to offer suggestions. Feel free to hang out. We want...them to come, be relaxed, and know it’s for them. That is the most important thing. The market was inspired by a student survey... We hope we’ve addressed those concerns. We hope everyone loves it and checks us out,” said Coates.
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