Mention the word "U-Store," and many students will immediately think textbooks and high prices — not of a Princeton institution. Yet the newly renovated, multi-level bookstore on 36 University Place has been just that for more than a century.
Founded on the motto, "Created of, by and for the students of Princeton University," the U-Store has grown from a student run bookstore in a tiny West College room in 1896 to a modern store with sporting goods, apparel, music and stationery departments and a convenience store.
It is a store that has served generations of Princetonians. Since its inception, the U-Store has "done everything to serve the students' needs," said Virginia France, marketing director and webmaster. Sitting in the newly renovated offices of the U-Store, France spoke with great pride of the success of what surrounded her.
"We're a co-op. There aren't any shareholders. It's run by the members, the Board of Trustees, alumni, faculty, students, staff," France noted. "The profit is distributed to the members."
While many college bookstores have been taken over by chains like Barnes and Noble, the U-Store — which is not affiliated with the University — has remained independent.
The U-Store is "happy and proud that we're an independent store — one of the few independent college stores left," France said.
Independence has produced some incredible results for the store. This year, the store has finished a multi-million dollar renovation and membership has reached 65,000, according to Jim Sykes, U-Store president.
The changes that the U-Store have recently undergone are direct results of Sykes' efforts.
"When Mr. Sykes came around four years ago, he looked at our whole business, our whole marketing, and realized that we had gotten away from the student as our reason for being," France said. "We have really refocused our efforts."
Immediately after Reunions last year, the U-Store underwent a full three month makeover. The basement floor, which had housed stationery and novels, was transformed into offices. The offices were moved from the third floor to make space for a new book level. Stationery was moved to the ground floor, where a new convenience store was added.
"Everything's more organized, there's more of everything, more of a variety of everything and all of it is easier to find," said Anneke Allen '03, a student cashier. "I enjoy working here. The hours are really good, and I enjoy seeing lots of people and talking to them."
Some customers, however, are not as enamored by the U-Store. A tourist from New York City, at the store to buy a Princeton baby shirt for his nephew, complained, "I came in and saw that it was remodeled and was disappointed by the book selection. "Compare it to the Harvard co-op, they have a wider variety," he added.
Renovation was a complicated process for the store. Even before it began, it was a struggle. "The problem was mostly getting the right permits from the Borough," France said.
Because obtaining the permits took longer than expected, the U-Store could not be fully remodeled last summer.
"Last summer we did what we did," France noted. "Next summer, we'll do some more." A new elevator will be installed, and holes will be made through the ceilings of the first and second floors to allow customers to take a peek at the books in the third floor.
The U-Store has extended beyond the boundaries of 36 University Place, too. Earlier this semester, Pequod was brought into the store — a move France felt "would be an enhancement to the Store."
There are also two new branches of the U-Store: the satellite stores in Frist and at the stadium. According to store manager Gina Walker, the store at Frist has been a huge success. "Originally we thought it would be geared towards students," she said. "We didn't anticipate the volume of tourists, but it has evolved into a great tourist center. [The] welcome desk is right there and tours start from there now."
The U-Store has also ventured into the world of e-commerce. Answering to the challenges presented by new college textbook websites, the U-Store recently launched its own website www.pustore.com. From the website, customers can order any product the store carries — including all textbooks.
"The online stores have had a lot of lawsuits," France noted. "Some of them have been accused of misrepresentation."
"Our textbook sales are in fact up," she added.
Read More
David Zielenziger ’74, former ‘Prince’ chairman and lifelong journalist, passes away at 72
Kian PetlinFriends and colleagues remember former ‘Prince’ chairman David Zielenziger ’74, who passed away peacefully on May 20.
Friends and colleagues remember former ‘Prince’ chairman David Zielenziger ’74 who passed away peacefully on May 20.
Remembering Dorothea von Moltke, Labyrinth co-founder and local community builder
Lucia BrownDorothea von Moltke, widely considered the heart of Labyrinth Books, was remembered by friends and loved ones for her passions for language, literature, and local activism.
Dorothea von Moltke, widely considered the heart of Labyrinth Books, was remembered by friends and loved ones for her passions for language, literature, and local activism.
Cloister Inn to pause operations for the next 2–3 years, citing “hefty renovations”
Justus WilhoitCloister Inn, one of Princeton’s eating clubs, will pause operations for the next two to three years, due to “hefty renovations” to the club’s house.
Cloister Inn, one of Princeton’s eating clubs, will pause operations for the next two to three years, due to “hefty renovations” to the club’s house.