The NSU bookstore location in the southwest corner of the University Park Plaza (UPP) recently relocated due to pending construction of a teaching and research hospital commissioned by NSU. The temporary bookstore location opened at the opposite end of the plaza in time for the beginning of the fall semester. Meanwhile, the permanent bookstore location is being built in the Alvin Sherman Library quad and is expected to open in mid November, due to delays caused by Hurricane Irma.
Marc Crocquet, vice president of business services for NSU, said there was an option to sell books solely online through the website, but that he and David Newell, director of business services, felt students would prefer a presence of books.
“We didn’t think that [being solely online] was the best way to serve students… It certainly would’ve been easier but I don’t think it would have been the right thing,” said Crocquet.
Conscious of students’ needs at the beginning of the semester, Andy Shaffer, regional manager for Barnes & Noble College, explained the goals for the current “swing space.”
“One [goal] was to make sure that we had enough time to set up textbooks to take care of students,” said Shaffer.“[Reason] two [being keeping] those books on site.”
According to Shaffer, the previous UPP location was never meant to be permanent. As a result, the new location will also have a new look.
“In this new bookstore every fixture will be new, and [because of] the level of presentation, the usage of graphics and signage this is going to be a completely different and enhanced experience for our students at NSU,” said Shaffer.
Although the Barnes & Noble representatives would not call the situation at the beginning of the semester “ideal,” especially for walk-up customers, they emphasized that students will have a completely different experience by next rush season.
Newell said, “In January [students will] come back to campus and walk in and [see] a brand-new building… [and experience] the great location and the convenience.”
The permanent location will be roughly six thousand square feet and students will be able to park in the parking garage adjacent to the library quad. According to Shaffer, there will be opening events in November and December.
Until the new space opens, students can visit the temporary location in UPP north.
“Our goal is to provide a full-service bookstore in this very brief interim process and we’re very excited to bring that new location online this fall,” said Shaffer.
