Innovations Award: Vista Market

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

Opened: Fall 2010
Gross Sales/Day: $5,000

Vista Market is a neighborhood campus market where resident students and university staff and faculty can purchase groceries and convenience items using their meal exchange, meal points, Bronco Bucks, cash, credit or checks. The location had previously been a small c-store with a grill that served the area's 400 resident students. However, after the university added 600 bed spaces in a new residential complex, the store was deemed inadequate, especially in light of the fact that the nearest commercial grocery store was 1.5 miles away.

Hence, the decision was made to convert Vista to a convenient neighborhood grocery store designed around the feedback received through focus groups and surveys of the nearby residents.

NOW A FULL GROCERY. Vista Market converted to a full-line grocery store to serve an expanded campus residential complex.

Vista was designed to have a neighborhood market feel — but with a modern, hip twist. It is accentuated with stained glass tiles, frosted glass dividers, stretch fabric signage, natural lighting, contemporary colors, ceramic floors, metal accents and stainless freezers. The product mix includes produce, fresh meat, frozen meals, bread products, pasta, rice, cooking needs (oils, spices, etc.), dairy, beverages, sweets/snacks, household items and health/beauty products. It even carries kitchen supplies (pots, pans, etc.).

There is a selection of healthy options (many items are grown on campus by the College of Agriculture) and a variety of ethnic foods.