If you are ever hungry in the evening on campus, Justin — AKA UVic Lolly Trolly — has got the goods for you
Photo by Sona Eidnani.
Justin Stauffer is a first-year history student at UVic, with a sweet side hustle. Every Monday to Thursday, from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to midnight, Stauffer walks around UVic’s residence areas, the bus loop, and outside the Cove with a supply of candy, snacks, and drinks for sale.
Stauffer said he’s always had an entrepreneurial mindset, as his mother has run multiple businesses herself. He always wanted to start a business of his own, so one ordinary day in September, he began brainstorming ideas that would become the Lolly Trolly. With a loose plan, he got in his car, drove to the Costco in Langford, and picked up one of the large, free grocery-packing boxes.
He then decorated the box, and bought a bunch of snacks from his secret supplier. “I was like, you know what, this would actually be a cool little gig if I went out and did this,” he said.
From then on, Stauffer became known for his Lolly Trolly, which has since garnered sizable online attention. During one of the first weeks of the semester, a student who told him his Instagram reels reached her friend at the University of British Columbia.
Social media plays a major role in how Stauffer gains traction on campus. He creates videos for Instagram and TikTok with two friends from his dorm building to promote the Lolly Trolly. You can find his Instagram @uviclollytrolly, where he posts promotional content and his business hours.
One of Stauffer’s goals is to hit 500 followers on Instagram by Dec. 3 — the end of the fall semester. At the time of publication, he has 317.
He believes that uploading videos consistently will help him achieve this goal. He also hopes to upgrade from a snack basket to a cart. After searching online, he decided to make his own, and plans to get a physical cart up and running within the next few weeks.
UVic Campus Security and Saanich Police have been largely supportive of Stauffer’s business, he says, only stopping him once or twice to briefly double-check that he’s selling legal items.
Stauffer says UVic students themselves have been very receptive to the Lolly Trolly. One of his selling points is that his products are cheaper than campus retail spots like The Cove. Stauffer operates late, making the Lolly Trolly — aside from vending machines — the only place students can buy snacks after the Cove closes.
Despite loving his sugary side gig, balancing his busy lifestyle has been a challenge this semester, as Stauffer also works as a restaurant server while attending classes. “You have to find a way through it, and if it’s something I enjoy, I figure out a way to balance it,” Stauffer said in an interview with the Martlet.
Depending on what’s happening on campus, Stauffer’s sales ebb and flow. On a busy night, demand is high for Red Bull and gummy bears. In the event that he does sell out, he heads straight to his supplier the next day to restock.
Working the Lolly Trolly doesn’t take away from Stauffer’s first-year experience; it adds to the charm. On nights where parties take place in UVic’s cluster neighbourhood, Stauffer shows up with his Lolly Trolly, plays music, and enjoys himself. He draws plenty of positive attention from party go-ers, whom he entertains in conversation about his business.
The Lolly Trolly is your one-stop shop for a late-night treat and friendly interaction. Whether you buy a snack, or just stop for a chat, Stauffer’s presence reflects the sweetness of campus life. So, the next time you see the Lolly Trolly around, why not indulge in a sugar rush?
