Paper bills from nations around the world are taped to the wall above the check-out counter at the University Mini-Mart. To store owner Sam Hamideh, this collage represents his vision for the future.
"I want to show that people everywhere are united," said Hamideh, who never hesitates to share his infectious charm with customers.
For twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week, the University Mini-Mart occupies an important niche in the local food landscape. Part Seven-Eleven, part Middle Eastern delicatessen, Uni-Mini (as it is affectionately known) serves the Hopkins student body with almost any item they could possibly need.
Besides the normal convenience store items, Uni-Mini offers falafel sandwiches, life-size Hookah pipes and even ping pong balls for all those Beirut games.
There isn't much more a college kid could ask for.
Hamideh has run the store on the corner of 33rd and St. Paul Streets with his two sons for 12 years. Above all, he prides himself on the friendly relations they have with their customers.
"We have an excellent relationship with kids from Hopkins," he said. "We consider ourselves a ??"mom and pop' store. We try to make things the way students like it."
Hamideh was born in the city of Ramallah in the West Bank, and considers himself a Palestinian. He moved to this country for improved economic opportunities some 25 years ago and has never looked back.
While the television in the store is frequently tuned to CNN or Headline News, Hamideh says he often prays that peace will someday return to his home country.
"Every time I see a mother with tears in her eyes, either Israeli or Palestinian, I have a deep pain inside," he said. "Both sides are stubborn. They have to realize they nobody can have all the pie."
One day, when peace eventually comes, Hamideh says he would like to throw a big block party on St. Paul for all Palestinians and Israelis with free food and music.Students who frequent the shop, whether it be for cigarettes or sandwiches, have nothing but praise for the friendly employees.
"When you go there, you feel like you're supporting people you actually like," said senior Maha Jafri.
Business has thrived in their current location, with a steady stream of locals running in and out of the store at all times.
Royal Farms used to be their primary competition across the street, but since that store's closure last summer, Uni-Mini has acquired a virtual monopoly on late night food runs. They began to stay open 24/7 to account for the nighttime business that Royal Farms had formerly served.
Hamideh operated several convenience stores in locations around the city before finally opening his Hopkins branch. Today he owns the Hopkins store and one additional store outside Annapolis.
The sandwich menu at Uni-Mini features best-sellers like chicken parmesan and stromboli, as well as more traditional sandwiches like roast beef and turkey.
The store itself is small, but jam-packs a variety of essential college staples. Ramen noodles, Fruit Loops, Campbell's Chunky Soup and Gatorade are among the offerings.
They just recently added pizza to their menu and Hamideh hopes to be offering slices-to-go in the near future. No matter the space constraints, he finds a way to make it work if there is demand.
"We're independent, not a chain, so I can add anything I want," said Hamideh.
At the back of the store, Uni-Mini offers some more eclectic items, such as Hookah pipes with elongated smoking necks and over twenty types of flavored tobacco, popular items in the Middle East.
While Royal Farms used to be robbed quite frequently, Hamideh says that crime has never been a problem for his store. He makes sure there are always at least two people on duty at all times to serve as a deterrent to would-be criminals.
In the future, Uni-Mini plans to move across the street next to Subway after an ongoing development project is completed. Streuver Brothers is in the process of purchasing the Wawa fraternity house which currently houses Uni-Mini. The developer plans to replace the row houses alongside both sides of St. Paul with new retail spaces and apartment complexes.
Hamideh hopes to have a much larger space in the new location, and plans to add a Shwarma stand and seating area to his regular offerings.
No matter what changes the future might bring, Hamideh promises that Uni-Mini will continue to be a haven for the hungry college student, be it day or night.
