Bookstore News and Campus Construction Update
Thursday, October 25, 2018
After closing for a week to move to a new location, the University Bookstore has reopened in its temporary home in the Bishop’s Common (to the left and down the hall as you enter the front doors). The Bookstore staff members look forward to seeing their regular customers in the new space.
The Spirit Shop, with Sewanee apparel, gifts, and school supplies, can now be found in the Bishop’s Common Hearth Room. Bookstore Manager Russell Green says that it will be easier for patrons to find their favorite Sewanee swag, as the merchandise is in a more focused area. The reading room (former pool table room) on the same hallway is being used as the trade book and convenience section, including snacks and health and beauty supplies.
“People will find their favorite books,” says Green. “The book selection is in a smaller space than before, but we were able to concentrate on the titles and genres that our local community and visitors have come to enjoy.”
Bookstore hours are 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. This weekend for Homecoming, the bookstore will also be open Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Parking for the Bookstore can be found behind duPont Library and behind the Bishop’s Common (enter the lot from Mississippi Avenue).
A new University Bookstore will be built downtown at 120 University Ave. Information about groundbreaking at that site will be available soon; the new store should be open for business next fall.
Construction on the new Wellness Commons has begun at the former bookstore location, following a ceremonial groundbreaking held on Sept. 22. The new fitness, health, and recreation facility is planned to open during spring semester 2020. It is expected to enhance existing programs and services for students’ success and well-being, as well as make them more readily available.
The Wellness Commons will be available for use by university students, faculty, and staff; the Fowler Center will continue to be available to all community members for fitness and recreation, and there should be less competition for space and equipment there after the additional facility opens.
Parking is no longer available on University Avenue in front of the new Wellness Commons location. When the project is complete, there will be expanded parking behind the building next to Elliott Park. The streetscape will be configured as along the rest of University Avenue headed north (in front of McClurg Dining Hall and All Saints’ Chapel, for example).