Spring Break
The Daily OrangeOnline grocery store begins deliveries to students
By Bethany Root
Posted: 11/10/04, 1:24 AM EST Section: News
When exams and term papers start piling up as high as the snow this winter, finding time and energy for grocery shopping will be a hassle for many college students.
But with the launch of a new online service, One Click Grocery, there is a way for them to get food without the fuss. The Web site, OneClickGrocery.com, allows students and anyone else living within a five-mile radius of campus to order groceries online and have orders delivered to their doorstep.
"We've only been open for a week and a half, but there has already been a huge response," said Adam Peruta, co-founder of One Click Grocery and an adjunct professor at Syracuse University's School of Information Studies.
Once students register on the Web site, they can order food and toiletries, create shopping lists or use one of the site's premade lists. Customers can browse through "aisles" such as "meats and poultry," "cookies, snacks and candy," and "health and beauty," putting desired items in their virtual shopping cart. Then, they fill out a contact form providing payment information and a home address.
Delivery is free unless students are not present when their groceries are dropped off, and the goods need to be redelivered. Some of the most popular items so far are staples like milk, bread, and "dorm food" like Pop-Tarts and bagel bites, Peruta said.
One limitation of the service is that orders cannot be fulfilled the same day. One Click Grocery only delivers purchases on Thursdays and Sundays, and customers must submit their orders by 6 p.m. the previous day in order to receive their items the next day.
But these restrictions have not discouraged Aubrey Adams, an alumna of Syracuse University and one of the service's first customers.
"I've already put in my second order," said Adams. "I live off campus, and they were more than happy to deliver to me. The fruit was fresh, everything was perfect, and I was very impressed."
One Click Grocery is the brainchild of three local entrepreneurs, all with previous experience in online business. Last summer, Peruta, who also owns RateMyClass.com, joined forces with Matthew Dacey and Matthew Duffley after the two decided to create a grocery delivery service modeled after their online movie rental business, One Click Video.
But with the launch of a new online service, One Click Grocery, there is a way for them to get food without the fuss. The Web site, OneClickGrocery.com, allows students and anyone else living within a five-mile radius of campus to order groceries online and have orders delivered to their doorstep.
"We've only been open for a week and a half, but there has already been a huge response," said Adam Peruta, co-founder of One Click Grocery and an adjunct professor at Syracuse University's School of Information Studies.
Once students register on the Web site, they can order food and toiletries, create shopping lists or use one of the site's premade lists. Customers can browse through "aisles" such as "meats and poultry," "cookies, snacks and candy," and "health and beauty," putting desired items in their virtual shopping cart. Then, they fill out a contact form providing payment information and a home address.
Delivery is free unless students are not present when their groceries are dropped off, and the goods need to be redelivered. Some of the most popular items so far are staples like milk, bread, and "dorm food" like Pop-Tarts and bagel bites, Peruta said.
One limitation of the service is that orders cannot be fulfilled the same day. One Click Grocery only delivers purchases on Thursdays and Sundays, and customers must submit their orders by 6 p.m. the previous day in order to receive their items the next day.
But these restrictions have not discouraged Aubrey Adams, an alumna of Syracuse University and one of the service's first customers.
"I've already put in my second order," said Adams. "I live off campus, and they were more than happy to deliver to me. The fruit was fresh, everything was perfect, and I was very impressed."
One Click Grocery is the brainchild of three local entrepreneurs, all with previous experience in online business. Last summer, Peruta, who also owns RateMyClass.com, joined forces with Matthew Dacey and Matthew Duffley after the two decided to create a grocery delivery service modeled after their online movie rental business, One Click Video.
