MRU store more than just snacks

Alnoor Rajwani says he takes students' needs seriously. Photo: Jorden Dixon

Stopping for a snack? An energy drink? How about a pen for that exam you forgot about and are now ten minutes late for?

Alnoor Rajwani and his wife Narmin’s convenience store in Wyckham House can probably save you and leave you with a smile to boot.

“It’s important that people get what they came in for,” Rajwani said.

“It’s a dark day when customers ask me for things that we are either out of, or don’t carry. It’s important to fulfill people’s needs.”

For the last three years the Rajwani’s store has provided what few others seem to be able to.

Chris Whelan, a criminal justice student at Mount Royal University, knows exactly what that touch is.

“The couple who work there are very, very generous,” Whelan said. “I come here about twice a week and they always say ‘Hi’ and ask me how my classes are going.”

Mr. Rajwani says that kindness comes easily.

“It’s second nature to me to just be friendly to people,” he said.”More importantly I want everyone to be comfortable and to feel like they are getting good, friendly service.”

He added that being friendly can only help a business and that students are the lifeblood of his business.

The store owners like being connected to that lifeblood as Whelan noted after being complimented by Mrs. Rajwani on the suit he was wearing for a class presentation.

“It’s nice that they take so much notice,” Whelan said.

“It makes for a nice small-business feeling.”

Mr. Rajwani’s personal fondness for his customers is evident when he spoke of how many he sees in a regular day.

“I’d say I recognize about 80 per cent of around 400 students who come in per day,” he said. He added he’s on a first-name basis of many of them.

The Rajwanis said they want to maintain their current level of customer satisfaction, which often means putting in long hours at the store.

“My days are usually hectic,” Mr. Rajwani said. “My mornings are always spent driving around and picking my supplies up and then the afternoons are spent stocking shelves and ensuring that customers have whatever they need.”

He added, despite hectic hours, it’s always a pleasure coming to work and the co-operation of everyone at Mount Royal makes it that way.

“I haven’t encountered any difficulties here, it’s always a great atmosphere,” he added.

The Rajwani’s plan to stay in Wyckham House as long as they can.