 "Photo: PJ Stanley/Collegian")
From plain view the Field Dormitory looks like nothing more than one of the many buildings scattered across campus. However, by taking the time to venture inside, one will be pleasantly surprised to find a small snack shop by the name of Sweets N'More.
This business has been around since about 1975 and was originally run by an outside vender not a part of the University. However, he then decided to give it up to the students, and with the help of the Center for
Student Business (CSB) and money provided by UMass, Sweets N' More has been run by students ever since.
There are currently 12 employees who run the shop, one consultant
and a bookkeeper. Everything is overseen by Rosemary Schmidt, the director of CSB. Unlike many other campus businesses, Sweets N' More has no hierarchy. Everyone works at the same level, essentially co-managing the place together.
"[Co-management is] great for respect. It's the best condition to
work in. You're more apt to share your ideas," said employee Kristin Filippelli, a senior.
Sweets N' More's employers do not like to follow the standard application when looking for new employees. In the personal interview, candidates are asked a series of serious and fun questions, so interviewers can really get to know who the applicant is. The more individual and unique the person appears, the better.
Once the current employers have decided who they will hire, they do what is called a "fake-out" interview. This is done by making their future employees participate in a ridiculous task, such as creating an advertisement for the shop only using forks and paper. They are then told that the best idea wins the open position. In reality, all members taking part in the activity already have the job - it's just a way for employers to break the ice.
Filippelli says the best part about working in a place like Sweets N'
More is the real world experience.
"It gives you a sense of how a real business works," she said.
The shop is open Sunday through Thursday from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. The menu consists of items ranging from the typical ice creams and cookies to the newly introduced chicken quesadillas, which have quickly become one of the most popular items.
Sweets N' More is now looking to expand into more than a simple snack shop. The goal is to make the shop into more of a late night dinner place by next semester. This will be done by bringing in more food like chicken fingers and french fries. Employers are also trying to bring in more people from all around campus. As of right now it is primarily students from the Field dorm and Orchard Hill Residential Area.
"We're very open to people outside [the dorm], and the food is good, so it's worth it," said Filippelli.
Jessica Sacco can be reached at jsacco@student.umass.edu.
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