Here in Newton the shops and stores to shop at are pretty limited. Walmart is a highway away where you can get almost all essentials for your room and for yourself. You can go downtown to Et Cetera and many other little shops. There are two Dillon’s in Newton or you can stop by Meridian Grocery to get your grocery fix.
To go to more popular stores, like Target, you have to drive to Wichita which might be the case for some people who don’t want to shop at the little local stores in Newton. In Wichita there is also a popular shopping mall called Towne East Square where there are many shops to shop at as well as stores and restaurants around the mall as well.
“My go to place is Dillion’s here [in Newton], but I went shopping at the Towne East Square mall in Wichita and I enjoyed that, so I will be going back,” Caden Mason, sophomore from Hoisington, said.
Et Cetera, a thrift store in Newton on Main Street, had a big turn out of students for college night back in August where they gave away free t-shirts and gave a discount, maybe in hopes of getting more shoppers from Bethel and gaining more support from the town.
“College Night is a ton of fun for us to put on! It's been great to see it grow beyond our shop, so that other downtown shops are part of it now. Every Thursday evening we stay open late, and students with a high school or college ID get a 25% discount between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. We are also excited that Bethel students have joined us in sewing and using Boomerang Bags as part of the new Harvey County chapter. We loved reading about it and seeing pics in your latest issue of The Collegian! We've wondered if college students leaving campus every May might become donors to the shop, too, as they leave behind things they no longer need. We'd love to hear from students who want to donate their furniture, home goods and clothing that are still in good condition but can't be left on campus over the summer,” Store Manager Sara Dick said.
Students love shopping at Et Cetera for their thrift needs.
“I love going to Et Cetera for thrifting! Not only am I supporting small, local businesses, but I'm also finding really cute clothes for cheap,” Emil Benavides, freshman from Stockton, said.
Et Cetera also takes volunteers to come in and work throughout the day to be a clerk, hang and price clothing, price housewares, check donated electronics, and help to prepare materials for their hand-loomed rugs.
“We LOVE having college students shop here! College students style their thrifty purchases so creatively, which is super fun to see! They're also often on a tight budget, so purchasing thrifted clothing and decor works well for them--and for us. We also enjoy having college students work here as employees and volunteers! We don't currently have any Bethel students employed here, but we do have a couple of students who volunteer periodically--and many who've volunteered here on a fall service day and as service learning scholarship recipients,” Dick said.
One store students may not be familiar with would be Cato Fashions, which is a women’s clothing store in Newton near Walmart.
“My favorite place to shop is Cato. I like to shop for deals as any woman does. Saving money is always a good thing,” Amethyst Meskill, senior from Wichita, said.
Another popular local shop is called Prairie Harvest Market and Deli. This shop is on the corner of Main St. and 6th St. in downtown Newton. They not only have a market and deli, but they also have a mezzanine event space where events can be held as well. They sell healthier food in the market and are known for the Prairie Bites and Prairie Provisions. Also in the market, they have fresh local produce, local meat, bulk snacks, grains and spice, Salted Creamery Ice Cream as well as Prairie Blend Coffee.
“I also love Prairie Harvest. Their coffee cans are so good!” Benavides said.
With a few local shops that students love to go to as well as some bigger stores in Newton, it makes Newton feel more like home for students as well as gives students something to do without having to drive all the way to Wichita all the time.
