The newly renovated atrium area of App State’s Campus Store is pictured during the store’s grand reopening, held Aug. 9, 2023. Prior to the renovation, the store was known as the University Bookstore. Click on the image for a full view. Photo by Chase Reynolds
The University Bookstore renovation was one of several major projects completed at Appalachian State University to enhance the App State Experience.
The project supports App State’s strategic priorities, as well as the university’s goals and metrics associated with the University of North Carolina System’s strategic plan. The entire campus community — including students, faculty and staff — as well as fans, alumni and campus visitors will benefit.
About
This project included a comprehensive renovation of more than 15,000 square feet of first-floor retail and service space in App State’s University Bookstore — now known as the Campus Store, with a goal of increasing sales revenue to enhance the store’s scholarship contributions for App State students.
High volumes of pedestrian traffic through the store, along with emerging retailing strategies and consideration of associated space programming, led to the preparation of a strategic study in 2019 for space improvements.
Some of the store improvements included:
- Digital signage displays.
- A new sound system.
- Decor that highlights App State’s campus culture and the university’s High Country setting.
Located at the heart of campus in Plemmons Student Union, the store serves the entire App State Community, as well as campus guests. The two-story store, constructed in 1969 and renovated a handful of times since, provides students with services and goods and houses the university’s textbook rental program, which launched its new digital delivery system in summer 2021. Established in 1938, the program saves most students hundreds of dollars over the course of their academic careers. Students saved over $5 million in 2022–23 by participating in the program, and 99% of App State’s student population has utilized the digital textbook rental system since its launch.
Campus Store proceeds support student scholarships at App State. Since 2014, the store has contributed more than $5.1 million in scholarship funds to help App State students finance their education.
Status
On March 27, 2020, App State’s Board of Trustees approved $170,036 in funding for the advanced planning stage of the project. The board authorized full funding for the project — bringing the total to approximately $5 million — during its Dec. 3, 2021, meeting, and the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors approved the full project funding at its Jan. 20, 2022, meeting.
App State worked with project designer Jenkins Peer Architects to develop construction plans for the renovation. Those plans were finalized in November 2022 and construction began Dec. 19, 2022, with the renovation concluding in early August 2023.
A soft opening for the Campus Store took place Aug. 1, 2023, and the store’s grand reopening was held Aug. 9, 2023.
How is it funded?
This renovation project is supported by the university’s auxiliary trust funds, including revenue generated through Campus Store sales.
Who will benefit?
The entire App State Community, including students, faculty and staff, as well as alumni, Mountaineer fans, campus visitors and local residents, will benefit from the bookstore renovation.
How does it support UNC System Goals and Metrics?
An enhanced campus designed with students, faculty, staff and the public in mind supports recruitment and retention of all members of the university and local communities.
Potential increases in Campus Store revenue generated as a result of the renovation can provide more scholarship support for App State students. These funds support a wide range of student scholarships across the university, contributing to the affordability of an App State education.
App State’s state-of-the-art textbook rental program, which operates through a digital delivery system, provides equitable access, convenience, sustainability and savings to most students. The program contributes to the affordability of an App State education for current and prospective students, and aligns with the university’s goal of providing equal access for all to App State — a premier public institution.
The store’s Campus Services Express, located on the second floor, provides students, faculty and staff with convenient access to AppCard, Campus Dining and Parking and Transportation services. Here, App State Community members can register for campus parking, make changes to their meal plans and obtain new or replacement AppCards. Students can also visit this space to apply for Campus Services jobs across campus.
App State’s official regalia, available for purchase through the Campus Store, is made in the USA, with fabric produced from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. With an average of 25 plastic bottles used to produce each cap and gown, App State’s Spring 2023 Commencement ceremonies diverted more than 73,000 plastic bottles.
Centrally positioned on App State’s campus, the Campus Store serves as an ideal location from which to host and highlight guest speakers and campuswide events. The store is also a first and regular point of contact for numerous members of the App State Community — and beyond. Some key points of engagement:
- As a regular stop on campus tours, the store is one of the first avenues through which prospective App State students and their families connect with the university and its brand.
- The Campus Store receives further traffic from alumni who frequent the facility when returning for App State events, such as Homecoming, as well as Mountaineer fans who purchase their App State gear at the Campus Store and the Team Store it operates at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
- Campus Construction Projects
- State Funding Support
- Master Plan
- Glossary
- Parking and Transportation Messages
Major current projects:
- App State Hickory Campus
- Innovation District
- STEM Academic Building — Innovation District
- Faculty/Staff Housing — Innovation District
- Zero-Carbon Energy System — Innovation District
- Peacock Hall Addition and Renovation
- Wey Hall Renovation
- Edwin Duncan Hall Renovation
- Appalachian 105
- Arts Corridor
- Boone Creek Daylighting
- Rivers Street Tunnels Upgrade
Major completed projects:
- Holmes Drive Parking Deck
- Dining Facilities Renovations — Central Dining Hall and Trivette Hall
- University Bookstore Renovation
- Residence Halls
- Child Development Center Expansion
- Kidd Brewer Stadium — North End Zone
- Career Development Center relocation
- Sanford Hall Renovation
- Blue Ridge Way
- NPHC Plots and Garden
- Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences
- Founders Plaza