You’ve got your stuff moved in for the most part, and suddenly
you realize that even though the car was jam-packed, you’re still
lacking a few things: toilet paper, a bank account and, most
importantly, food.
Back home this wouldn’t be a problem; you’d jump in the car and
head up the street to the nearest Wal-Mart or grocery store. You’re
sure those same stores you know and love still exist, the problem
is: Where?
Grocery Stores
“Food, Glorious Food.” The decision you have before you around
the Saint Louis University campus is not the chain of grocery store
you shop at, but the aura of the store itself. Closest to campus is
the Schnucks located on Lindell Avenue. They stock the basic
grocery store necessities and munchies.
A slightly more upscale Schnucks awaits your checkbook on South
Grand. It may seem like a grocery store is never going to appear,
but keep going, you’re almost there.
Finally, there is Richmond Heights Schnucks on Clayton near the
Esquire. The floors are clean, the fruit is fresh and the music
playing over the loudspeaker makes shopping for Cheerios and paper
towels a pleasant experience.
All three Schnucks are open 24 hours for late night runs.
Banks
Now for a place to store the little money you managed to make
this summer. Either your bank doesn’t have a branch in St. Louis or
you have no idea where the closest branch is.
US Bank has a branch office on the lower level of Busch Student
Center. The bank is open Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. US Bank also has several ATMs located on campus, including
DuBourg Hall, Fusz Hall, DeMattias Hall and the BSC.
Commerce Bank on Vandeventer, south of Highway 40, is another
banking option. It’s a bit farther from campus, but the bank also
recently placed several ATMs on campus, including Griesedieck Hall
and Fusz Hall.
Discount Stores
For all the things you cannot live without that the grocery
store doesn’t sell, there is a Target or Wal-Mart nearby–not
close, but nearby.
Target Greatland off of Highway 40 across from the Galleria is
your best bet. While they typically have a large selection of
everything you need, move-in weeks at all the nearby schools tend
to empty this Target out rather fast.
Other Options: Hampton Target on 4255 Hampton; Walgreen’s on
Lindell.
To find the nearest Wal-Mart, or at least the most accessible,
drive down Interstate 44, to the Lindbergh Exit, and make a right.
There is also a Target located at this exit.
Service Stations
Obviously, the closest gas station to campus is the Shell
station on Grand. There are others if you hunt around a little on
Forest Park Parkway, Lindell and Laclede.
If you’re looking for a full-service station try the Firestone
at 3736 S. Grand, 865-3473, or the Dobb’s Tire and Auto Center out
by Target Greatland.
If you’re headed out on a weekend getaway and are in need of a
map, the AAA on Lindell Avenue should be able to help you out.
Post Offices
The easiest and closest mailing/shipping center is Indox
Services: Copy and Mail Center located in the lower level of BSC.
The store can sell you a book of stamps or mail your package via
U.S. Mail, UPS or FedEx. Indox is opened Monday-Thursday from 8
a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday
from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
However, if you need the familiarity of the governmental,
uniform-wearing employee of the traditional U.S. Post Office, the
closest branch is located on Laclede, just west of the
Vandeventer/Laclede intersection. If mailing a letter, there are
three boxes located on the lower level of BSC directly across from
the student mailboxes for stamped, metered and interoffice
mail.
Medical Care
For minor injuries or illnesses, your best bet is to stop by the
Student Health and Counseling Center (977-2323). With a staff of
nurses, doctors and counselors, the center can service your medical
needs. In addition, they are well-stocked on all the common
prescription drugs and can save you a trip to the local
pharmacy.
As unfortunate as they are, accidents and emergencies do happen,
and as your mother has probably told you a thousand times, “It’s a
good idea to know where the nearest hospital is.” Lucky you, there
are several options.
SLU Hospital on North Grand, as the name suggests, is owned by
Tenet but affiliated with the University, which is helpful, if you
are an injured student.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital on Kingshighway, and Forest Park Hospital
at 6150 Oakland Ave., are the other hospitals close to campus.
Video Rentals
For those evenings when you want to curl up on the couch with
some popcorn and watch a movie, there are a few video stores close
by to service your needs.
The Blockbuster Video on Lindell has a wide array of videos and
DVDs.
There is also a Hollywood Video on South Grand near St. Louis
Bread Company and Kinko’s. Area Schnucks grocery stores also offer
video rentals.
Copies
Indox is the most convenient place for copying and other print
jobs. In addition to print services there are workstations for
students’ use. For Jerry McGuire epiphanies after Indox closes,
Kinko’s has two locations, one on South Grand near Tower Grove
Park, and another in Brentwood Square near the Galleria.
On-Campus Eating
One last thing: When the cafeteria food begins to look scary,
you do have options.
Fusz Food Court has your basic hamburgers and pizza, as well as
ice cream and smoothies, pretzels, a sushi bar and a full-service
Subway. The food court is open Sunday through Friday, 10 a.m. to
midnight and is closed on Saturdays.
The Ameren Café located in Cook Hall features sandwiches,
coffees and desserts. It’s open 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday
through Thursday, and until 2:00 p.m. on Friday.
La Bodega, the grocery store located on the second floor of the
BSC, is the place for students to grab essential items without
leaving campus. Hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through
Thursday; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 11 to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Sunday the store is open at 11 a.m., and closes at 3 a.m.
The new Busch Student Center offers a variety of dining options
to satisfy one’s hunger.
Au Bon Pain, located on the lower level of the BSC, specializes
in pastries but offers a wide variety of soups, salads and
sandwiches. The French bakery and deli is opened Monday through
Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and until 3 p.m, on Fridays. Au
Bon Pain reopens at 10 a.m. on Sundays. Students can substitute a
meal (valued at $6) from 4:30 p.m. to close Monday through
Thursday.
Other dining options include the Grand Market Place, located on
the second floor of the BSC, featuring home style meals, specialty
pizzas, Asian cuisine, salad and desert bar.
For those that want a more laid- back atmosphere, you can chill
at Wackadoo’s Grub and Brew in the Billiken Club. Wackadoo’s is
open Monday through Saturday, from 11 to 3 a.m.
Specialty Shops
A flower and gift shop, salon and dry cleaner add to the new
conveniences available to students on campus this year. All shops
are located in the lower level of the BSC.
Nettie’s Flower and Gifts is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday
through Friday. Students with a valid ID will receive 10 percent
off all purchases. Delivery will be made to all campus buildings in
addition to the metro and Illinois area. Nettie’s will be accepting
Billiken Bucks.
Salon Ktizo is a full-service salon offering haircuts,
manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, skin care and more. The
prices are geared towards the University and students will receive
a 15 percent discount. The salon is open Monday through Friday from
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. till 4 p.m.
Champion Dry Cleaner, Inc., located on the outside of BSC in
suite 127, offers laundry services.
