Riders Deliver Convenience Store Fare to Nation’s Capital

April 18, 2006

WASHINGTON – It’s a delivery service that is part 7-Eleven, Blockbuster and CVS, writes The Washington Post.

Elvin “Vinnie” Martinez is one of a dozen bicycle “riders” for a company called DCSnacks.com, notes the Post, that is bringing products typically found inside convenience, drug and movie rental stores to the doorsteps of college students and residents throughout Washington, D.C.

“A lobbyist on K Street is craving garlic-flavored bagel chips. It’s 10:40 p.m. Tuesday. No problem. Three roommates in Thomas Circle want six pints of Ben and Jerry’s. It’s 12:15 a.m. Sunday. Solved,” notes the newspaper.

DCSnacks.com is the brainchild of Matthew Mandell, a 24-year-old entrepreneur who began the service with a borrowed laptop and $1,000 in capital in January 2003. He began selling fewer than 50 items and today is providing more than 800 products to his customers.

Products available through the service include more than 30 flavors of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, Vitamin Water, soft drinks, salty snacks, cigarette and tobacco products, cold and upset stomach medicines, microwave meals and a selection of DVDs. Delivery hours begin at 8:00 p.m. and often last well into the early morning hours of 4:00 a.m.

Original Context