Photos by Ralph Freso
The Lope Shop hosted about 250 college store professionals and industry vendors on Thursday as part of the National Association of College Stores’ Campus Market Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center.
“The store is often the window through which the university is perceived,” association CEO Ed Schlichenmayer said. “And it’s up to the store to make an early or the first impression. And I would give this an A-plus if I’m a prospective student, a parent. I come in and it’s fresh, clean, got great merchandise, a lot of assortment, but it represents Grand Canyon University. And I like the mix of the faith-based and standard sports apparel.”
Andy Dunn, director of campus retail and licensing, and Shelly Schrimpf, assistant director, led two groups on the tour of the Lope Shop and its distribution center.
GCU is one of the few schools that features purple as a dominant color.
“The first thing I heard from someone walking in was, ‘Wow, this is such an amazing purple,’" said association President Gilbert Garcia, manager of the bookstore at Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista, California. “It’s unique to your campus, and it really stands out. It’s a great color.”
Garcia took over as the National Association of College Stores president, a title held by Dunn two years ago.
“They (Lope Shop executives) are seen in the industry as mentors and trailblazers and are very respected because of what they stand for, invent and how they run the entire operation,” said Genta Guitron, chief wellness officer for Montana State University Bookstore. "I think it has a great balance of being inviting to everyone who wants to celebrate this campus but be very clear about the foundation of what their standards and value system is. I think it’s fantastic.”
The visitors were treated to a reception on the Prescott Field patio to ask questions and share ideas, with Dunn delivering a brief talk on the history of GCU and the Lope Shop.
The Campus Market Expo blends trade show and educational elements for college bookstore executives and vendors.
Garcia and his wife attended a GCU men’s basketball game on Wednesday night.
“We saw the energy in the arena, from the students to the alumni and families,” Garcia said. “And the Lope Shop is a cool place for the students to de-stress and decompress and shop around.”
GCU News senior writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
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