University Stores underwent the project of updating and expanding Kennesaw State campus bookstore, now open to students.
Construction began in early June 2021 and was completed in mid-December, allowing the store to open for the Spring 2022 semester. The construction consisted of changing the location and merging with OwlTEC. According to Paul Oliphant, director of University Stores, the new space is 9,053 square feet, which is 1,854 square feet larger than the previous space.
The new bookstore is next to the art supply store, package lockers and student mail services, uniting multiple retail and service outlets associated with Talon One Service Center in one functional area.
The relocation of the Bursar’s Office made the construction of the new campus bookstore possible. Previously on the second floor of the student center, the Bursar’s Office moved to Kennesaw Hall.
The bookstore was previously located on the first floor of the student center with stairs leading to space on the second floor. OwlTEC, which provides technology products and services and was previously a stand-alone store, is now fused with the bookstore.
Oliphant stated that the space includes “new fixtures, lighting, flooring, branding, and new merchandise selections.” The space improvements have a visual appeal, maintaining the inviting feel of the bookstore students know and love, with windows overlooking the campus and a fresh, clean impression.
At the bookstore, students can find a wide variety of products ranging from technology, apparel, school supplies, beauty supplies, snacks, textbooks and even board games.
According to Oliphant, the store is now able to sell a larger selection of products and new products will be regularly added, so product diversity will increase.
“Our goal was to bring the bookstore into a new modern era while remaining the KSU community’s favorite place to shop for KSU merchandise, textbooks and technology,” Oliphant said.
This is not the end of alterations to the bookstore. Oliphant revealed that a service elevator is in the works, as well as a bookstore-managed package locker system. These projects for modernizing the campus bookstore are predicted to be done by early March.
According to the bookstore website, “As a unit within Campus Services, our vision is clear—to enhance the Kennesaw State University student experience by providing the resources that support successful learning and effective teaching.”
