I was just thinking that times have changed. I make no bones about my age. I am 51 going on 52. If you ask my brother in law, Carlton, he would pinpoint my birthday down to the minute—no grace period from him! He has the ability to tell you when Christmas will be next year–what day it falls on, when his birthday is, etc. If I have a date related question I go to him. But I digress.
With the passage of time comes change. Some big, some little, some gentle, some harsh and some come like a thief in the night and surprise the heck out of you. Today I read about a change at my beloved Alma Mater, Ohio Northern University. Gone are the days of trudging in the snow and ice downtown to get a little snack. No more trips to Gardner’s Drug store for cold medicine and hangover remedies. (Not for me—NEVER ! Believe me, Mother!) No more treks to the edge of town to stock up on food stuffs at the IGA (now Community Grocery). There is no need. You see, Kroger has installed a Shop24 robotic convenience store on campus.
The 9 foot tall structure takes up about a 10 x 13 foot space and accepts debit, credit, cash, SNAP and even student meal plan cards!!! It can dispense items ranging from less than an ounce up to 8 pounds!!! I say AMAZING! It carries all kinds of products from food to cleaning items, snacks, beverages, even refrigerated meals make the list of things that can be bought at this robotic machine.
What are those poor ONU students going to miss by having this amazing thing right out their door? Freezing walks in sub zero temperatures, that is what! I say GOOD JOB, KROGER! But where were you 30 years ago?
