Inside Iowa State

March 30, 2007

Bookstore hopes to open new space by Veishea

by Anne Krapfl

Veishea visitors to campus may be able to shop for the first time in the University Book Store's expanded space. At least that's what bookstore officials are shooting for. Absent any last-minute delays, the bookstore staff expects to begin setting up its additional retail space by April 3 or 4.

"We'll work right behind the crews who are installing the new store fixtures," said Amy DeLashmutt, marketing director for University Book Store. "We really hope to be in before Veishea weekend."

The bookstore's additional retail space occupies nearly all of the top level of the two-story addition to the Memorial Union, adjacent to the current store. The bookstore also will lease the east half of the lower (street) level of the addition for staff offices and warehouse space. Staff moves are scheduled to occur the week of April 9, Delashmutt said.

Bookstore departments that are moving to the new retail space are: textbooks, general books and part of the store's clothing and gifts section. Another key change in the layout of the store is that the art department, currently on the lower level and accessible via a round stairwell, will be moved up a level to space that is part of the current general books section. The stairwell will be removed and the former art department space will become part of the bookstore's inventory warehouse.

The temporary plywood wall that separates new and old parts of the store will be removed just before the opening. Delashmutt said the changes nearly double the retail space of University Book Store, from approximately 12,000 to 22,000 square feet.

MU south addition nearly complete

Not quite a year into the renovation project at the Memorial Union, there's significant progress to report. The south addition is nearly complete and occupants - namely the University Book Store - will be moving in by mid-April. The south driveway from Morrill Road to the loading dock area will be repoured and landscaping in the area will begin later this spring.
More about the Union renovation.