Student workers help shape the Davis Collection community
Student employees describe their experiences working in the new shopping center
By GRACIELA TIU — features@theaggie.org
Over the past year, the Davis Collection shopping mall on Russell Blvd. has continued expanding, featuring restaurants such as Mendocino Farms, Urban Plates and Shah’s Halal, along with retailers such as Ulta Beauty, Nordstrom Rack and many others. While the UC Davis community has witnessed the shopping center’s progression, student workers have had a unique experience in the center, as many were involved in the opening of the stores themselves.
“I feel like the Davis Collection has more of a community compared to others,” Tiffany Liebelt, a fourth-year human biology major who works at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, said. “Since we have a small shopping area, I’ve been able to get to know people who work in the other franchises. It’s nice to see a lot of familiar faces while working as well, since our location is right in the center of Davis.”
The Davis Collection offers a diverse blend of shopping and dining opportunities, featuring large and familiar franchises along with smaller, lesser-known locations. Student workers have noticed how this shopping hub feels different from the other communal areas of Davis.
“Working in the Davis Collection feels unique compared to other shopping areas in town because it has a more modern, upscale and community-oriented vibe,” Gabriella Smith, a second-year biological sciences major who works at Fluffy Fluffy Dessert Cafe, said. “The layout is open and walkable, which makes it feel less crowded and more relaxed than downtown.”
The start of 2026 has brought along several new store openings, including places like Paris Banh Mi, Good Friends Hawaiian Poke, Fluffy Fluffy Dessert Cafe and The Old Teahouse. Each grand opening has created a sense of excitement within the Davis community, particularly for the workers in the mall.
“I like all the buzz we’ve been getting — especially with all of our grand openings happening around the same time — so it’s been really busy lately,” Liebelt said. “It’s also nice to try a lot of the new food that I’ve never had before.”
The close proximity of the Davis Collection to campus brings a familiar crowd of customers to the plaza, as students of all grade levels come together to study, eat, shop and socialize. Student workers discussed the lighthearted dynamic of seeing people they know while at work.
“I do run into some of my friends while working,” Madison Fontanilla, a second-year neurobiology, physiology and behavior major who works at The Old Teahouse, said. “Because the plaza is super close to campus, I often encourage some of my friends to stop by to grab a sweet treat or snack and study in our store. I like how this plaza is close to campus because it creates a very lively environment.”
Liebelt had a similarly positive experience of loved ones stopping by her store, explaining how seeing friends and classmates can blur the line between work and social life.
“I honestly see someone I know or a friend at least once every shift I have,” Liebelt said. “It’s honestly so nice because it’s a relief, and I forget that I’m actually at work. I also get sort of a dopamine boost and have more energy once I see familiar faces step into my workplace.”
The Davis Collection’s opening has created a noticeable number of job opportunities for students. Instead of working downtown or on campus, students have noted seeing more options available for work.
“I definitely think it has created a lot of job opportunities for students,” Liebelt said. “I believe about 75% of people I’ve met at all the new shops are students, and it’s honestly refreshing to see many familiar faces.”
Some of the most rewarding experiences in the workplace can be the relationships one builds with their coworkers, according to Smith. Because many employees at the Davis Collection are students, she described how they already have baseline similarities that help foster work connections.
“Most of my coworkers also go to UC Davis, which makes the workplace dynamic feel really comfortable and relatable,” Smith said. “Since we’re all balancing classes, assignments and work shifts, there’s a shared understanding of what everyone is going through. We’ll talk about our majors, difficult exams, registration stress or even just complain about midterms together.”
The benefits of the community within the plaza continue beyond each individual store. Students note how working in the Davis Collection allows them special discounts, not only for their location but also for the rest of the center’s retailers.
“One of the biggest perks of working at my store is that we get employee discounts at not only my store, but the other restaurants and stores also provide plaza discounts,” Fontanilla said. “That way, I save money while also still fulfilling my cravings.”
Written by: Graciela Tiu — features@theaggie.org