Greenblatt Market celebrates opening convenience to Health Sciences Campus

Augusta University, University Libraries and Sodexo celebrated the early success of the Greenblatt Market with free samples, library information and prizes during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Two men and two women stand with a male college student during a special ribbon-cutting event on a college campus inside a library. — Mr. Augusta University Tyler Guy, AU President Russell T. Keen, First Lady Karen B. Keen, Dean of Libraries Brad Warren and Director of Greenblatt Library Kathy Davies celebrate the official opening of the Greenblatt Market.

AU President Russell T. Keen and First Lady Karen B. Keen, alongside AU Libraries Dean Brad Warren and 2025 Mr. Augusta Tyler Guy provided remarks to commemorate the opening of the market, located inside the Robert B. Greenblatt, M.D. Library, near the entrance off Laney-Walker Boulevard.

Students were able to try the market’s offerings, as well as spin a wheel to receive items including clothing, bags and commemorative cups. AU Libraries also provided buttons, stickers and promotional materials to connect with the student body.

The Greenblatt Market opened at the start of the fall semester. Although it has only been open slightly over two months, the new addition to the Greenblatt Library has made its presence known.

The market features a Starbucks Serenade machine, which provides assorted espresso drinks on demand. The Greenblatt Market is known as an honor market, which means it is not always staff-run. Instead, Sodexo has incorporated an AI-powered self-checkout system called Mashgin, where shoppers can place their items on the scale while the register determines the items placed.

A college-aged woman uses a self-scanning machine to pay for food inside a market on a college campus. — An AU student uses Sodexo’s AI-powered self-checkout system, Mashgin, to check out from the Greenblatt Market. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]

Since libraries see access to items as one of their main missions, it was fitting to place the market inside Greenblatt Library. The services provided can help nourish students while studying for midterms in the library or provide dinners they can take home. The market is designed to give its patrons easy access to food, beverages and other essentials. Unlike other eateries and markets on campus, the Greenblatt Market remains open during the same hours as the library.

“Since the market is open the same hours as the library, it ensures convenient access to meals at times when other options are not available,” Warren said.

Patrons have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback since the market opened. In response, Sodexo has adjusted the inventory based on customer requests, offering different items ranging from energy drinks and candy bars to sushi and laundry detergent.

“The market is designed with not just the library in mind, but also student housing and supporting campus life,” Warren said.