Business is booming for Sundre, NMU Dining Service’s newest addition—so much so that multiple products came close to selling out within Sundre’s first week of business.
The response to the store having a stock of organic, local, gluten-free, vegetarian and even vegan snacks and beverages has been overwhelmingly positive. Sundre, located in the basement of the LRC, opened its doors to students for the first time on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
“People love having healthier options,” Dining Services Retail Store Manager Suzi Trdan said.
Trdan said that the idea for Sundre has been approximately a year and a half in the making.
“I think it’s been always there, but it has a lot to do with place and time, and now we’re finally here.”
Sundre wants to provide students and faculty with products they look forward to putting in their bodies. It believes that people should be able to trust the ingredients they are consuming. In addition to its collection of products from notable health food companies such as Kind and LesserEvil, Sundre sells a collection of food made specifically for their store by Northern’s Dining Services. The most popular of these products are salads composed in layers inside of Mason jars.
“It’s very Pinterest and people are drawn to that,” Sundre employee Keny Jolgren, a senior public relations major said.
When you return any of the jars to the store you will get a dollar back. The coffee purchased locally from Dancing Crane Farms, Honest Tea drinks and boxed water are among the most popular products, according to Jolgren.
They are focusing on using the feedback they receive to bring in products that students really want.
“I want to grow with what we have,” Trdan said.
Trdan expects the product quantity to hopefully double, but variety wise everything will be similar to what they currently offer. Among the products the store hopes to add to their collection are chapstick and a larger of a variety of granola bars. Trdan says that they appreciate all the feedback and look forward to hearing more from students.
Sundre will be having a grand opening at 11 am to 1 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 3 for everyone to stop by and sample some of their favorite products.
“We’re all pretty cool that work here, and you should come check us out!,” Jolgren said.
