A brand new full service department store in Carbondale is providing some SIUC students with hard earned cash this holiday season.

K’s Merchandise, located at University Mall, held its grand opening on November 9. About 40 of the 152 employees at K’s are SIUC students and the store is still hiring, an employee said.

Gary Roseman, K’s Human Resource Specialist, said students are good employees in the retail market because of their eagerness for working hours.

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Our most productive times are during the nights and weekends, he said. Those are the hours when most students want to work.

Roseman said K’s Merchandise is a family owned store founded in 1957 in Decatur, Illinois, by David Kay Eldridge. He said there are currently 10 K’s Merchandise stores in Illinois and three in Iowa. The chain sells furniture, electronics, toys, household appliances, jewelry, and sporting goods.

Kim Taylor, a SIUC senior in applied technical sciences from Country Club Hills, said she was surprised when she was offered a job at K’s.

I only had one interview before I got offered the job, she said. I had friends waiting for three months to get this job. I’m really glad I got the job because I know it’s tough to find a job in this area.

Erin Davis, a freshman business major taking classes at SIUC and John A. Logan Community College, said the work hours at a retail store are ideal for the college student.

Most everyone on the night crew is a student, she said. Depending on my class schedule, I work either the day or night shifts. Retail stores are open all day so the hours are flexible.

Roseman, who graduated from the University of Iowa a year ago, said he understands the hectic schedule of a college student. He said the employees hours at a retail store are flexible because they have to service to the schedules of customers.

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When we hire students we look at their availability, he said. Some students have next to impossible schedules, but the majority are workable for retail.

Roseman said they were flooded with student applications when classes began this fall. He said the number of applications they received reflects the lack of employment opportunities for students in the area.

Tricia Fowler, an undecided graduate student from Danville, said student employees bring diversity to the store. She said student workers improve the relations between the community and the college population.

Fowler said finding a job in a college town can be hard and she is glad to have the opportunity to earn some extra money.

Students are always struggling for money, especially around the holidays.