Bookstore celebrates new location

The UNCP bookstore celebrated its first year of operation in its new location April 18 with an Open House.            

The bookstore kicked off the festivities with a Cram It, Jam It shopping spree at 10:30 a.m.

Photo by Lesley Covington Freshman Katy Lail scrambles around the University Bookstore duing the Cram It Jam It shopping spree.  Lail had one minute to sprint around the bookstore and stuff as much as she could into a backpack.  She won more than $400 worth of merchandise.

Freshman wins

Freshman Katy Lail had won the two-week-long raffle and sprinted through the store for one minute with a black backpack provided by the bookstore over her shoulders.            

The goal was to fill the bag with as much merchandise as she could in one minute.

Lail scouted the store beforehand, deciding on the best route for her sprint.            
           
Her friends and onlookers cheered for her and warned her when a Vera Bradley wallet dangled precariously from the backpack.            

She won more than $400 worth of Vera Bradley merchandise, Burt’s Bees Lotion and a calculator with batteries.            
           
“I needed a calculator for math,” she said.

Planned event

The Open House has been planned since the bookstore relocated earlier this semester.            

“We’ve been planning it since we moved in,” Bookstore Director Karen Swiney said. “We just wanted to do something to thank our customers.”

Vendors

Numerous vendors sponsored the day’s events and prize giveaways, and three representatives were present: Jerry Mullins from JanSport, Tom Kirkman of Russell Athletic and David Maddox of Uphill USA.            

“We’ve been looking forward to this for two years,” Mullins said.

Mullins, Kirkman and Maddox all praised the new bookstore.            

DJ, food provided            
           
A DJ provided music for students who danced outside. The music began with the ever-popular hip hop, but the DJ integrated a little country into his repertoire, as well

Hot dogs, juice, soda, snacks and candy were distributed free by the bookstore staff from 11:30 a.m. until all the supplies were drained.           

Discounts            
           
Customers also could receive a discount on their purchases from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. by playing Darts for Discounts.

Darts for discounts

Customers lined up after making their purchases to throw a dart at the dart board and in order to receive an instant discount from the store.            

A Secret Sale was in operation from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Door prizes were offered throughout the day, and extras such as water bottles and visors were given away to visitors during the event.