Wakeland’s snack store, The Cave is the most popular place to be before school, during passing periods, and at lunch. Located in E102, The Cave sells snacks, drinks, gum, candy, and on Fridays, warm cookies.
“Coming to The Cave is one of the best parts of the school year starting up,” junior Julia Udrys said. “I go a couple of times a week during lunch to stock up on snacks for the rest of my classes. I need a fuel boost after my difficult morning practices.”
Under the leadership of business teacher and DECA adviser Drano, the cave thrives. But it wouldn’t be the same without hardworking DECA officers who run the store, restock it, and run the registers.
“This is my third year working at The Cave now, and I love it,” senior officer Anuj Bohra said. “It’s taught me responsibility and good communication skills, and that the officers must work together as a team to ensure everything runs smoothly.”
This year will be a little different for customers and officers alike. Previously, most students would use Apple Pay to purchase their goods, but with the new phone policy, this method is no longer permitted in The Cave.
“For the first week and a half or so, sales were starting off slow,” Drano said. “Lots of students don’t have physical cards or cash.”
Complex issues require creative solutions. Drano and the officers have devised a solution of punch cards. In the mornings when students can use their phones before 9 a.m., they can come to The Cave and purchase a punch card with their Apple Pay. This punch card is worth thirty dollars. Students can use it during the school day to pay for their items. Officers punch the card in increments of three dollars, making ten purchases total. This system allows more convenient purchasing power, as students no longer have to worry about bringing their card or cash to school.
“We were trying to find a new way for students to still utilize Apple Pay,” Drano said. “It’s essentially like a sort of gift card.”
Although not yet in place, customers expressed interest in this new punch card system. Many say they are willing to buy a punch card to use later in the day and are excited to try it out.
“I think the punch card idea is a really creative solution,” junior Hudson Sareas said, “I would definitely be willing to try it out once it’s officially active.”