Shopping at local businesses is an easy way to give back to the community, and a new housing development in Downtown Binghamton is looking to take efforts a step further.

A student-run nonprofit convenience store is slated to open inside of the currently renovating Printing House apartment complex on Chenango Street. Set to open this August as students begin to move in for the academic year, it will be managed by nationwide student housing company Campus Evolution (CE) Villages and will vend food, drinks, medical items and cleaning supplies — all while donating 100 percent of its profits to charity.

CE Villages has yet to decide on the local charity that will receive the store’s profits. But Gretta Dare, the company’s vice president of marketing and leasing, said she hopes the BU student body will be able to weigh in on the decision.

“We have actually invited the local community and students to let us know what charity they would like to see us support,” Dare wrote in an email. “We have sent emails out to those that have visited our communities, reached out to the University and we’re hoping to gather even more suggestions.”

On a day-to-day basis, the store will employ BU students regardless of whether they live in the building, with CE Villages acting as management ensuring the success of the store. Dare wrote they plan to absorb the initial opening costs into the company, but they have not yet worked out the operating costs or how much they will pay their employees.

Dare claimed that the store would consider donating to a different charity each year, so that multiple local causes can receive aid. She believes that the convenience store will not only provide an easy way for students to make a difference, but it will also allow CE Villages to reach out to the greater Binghamton community.

“The opening of this store ultimately impacts two areas that we are passionate about,” Dare wrote. “One, offering a way for students to be able to give back to the community that they reside in during their college years. [And] two, to positively impact every community that we serve.”

Rowan Engelhardt, a sophomore double-majoring in English and psychology who currently lives Downtown, said she felt that the store would be a great addition to the neighborhood that would help students give back to the Binghamton community.

“I think the new store could provide meaningful service opportunities for students while benefiting our local community at the same time,” Engelhardt said. “Given its convenient location and the fact that it will give to charities, I hope tons of people will be inclined to give their business to the store over others in the area.”

Binghamton City Councilman Conrad Taylor, a sophomore majoring in political science, said he felt that the store was an exciting opportunity for BU students that could also assist the community.

“The fact that it is student-run is an awesome way to continue integrating students into the Downtown Binghamton community in a positive way,” Taylor said. “And job experience for young people definitely never hurts.”

Taylor also added that he is excited by the nonprofit and philanthropic nature of the convenience store.

“The fact that the store is a nonprofit with proceeds going to local charities is the cherry on top,” Taylor said. “It sounds like this will be a business that contributes to Binghamton in multiple ways.”