You can’t beat the location: Nestled at the foot of the U.S. 52 and State Route 141 interchange, and if that isn’t enough, it sits directly across from the main entrance to the Ohio University Southern campus.

With constant traffic flowing past, the University Mart is a convenience store that customers and employees both say is the perfect shop in the perfect place.

“Teachers come in, students come in. We have the book store in the back,” said University Mart employee Kelly McKenzie, of Ashland, Ky. She has worked at the store for approximately one year.

“She (manager Mindy Cassady) is good to work around my schedule.”

Jeremiah Sprague, also of Ashland, who is neither student nor teacher, said he frequents the convenience store, too. In fact, he said stopping by the University Mart has become a habit, one he apparently does not intend to break any time soon.

“It’s got good coffee and great customers,” he joked as he helped himself to a cup of brew. “I come in about once a week to say ‘hi’ to everybody. I like the area, it’s a nice area.”

Heather Lewis of Ironton has worked at the store for approximately six months.

“I love it here. I love the work, the people, everything,” she said as she rang up a purchase and then put the customer’s purchase in a bag.

The Dart is a weekly feature in which a reporter throws a dart at a map of Lawrence County and finds a story where it hits.