Bookstore opens in Campus Theatre

Over spring break a new bookstore opened its doors in downtown Milledgeville in the historic Campus Theatre. The new GCSU theater bookstore was named Box Office Books after the winners of the naming contest were chosen.

Two freshmen, psychology major Jessica Carnes and pre-engineering major Cara Powell, submitted the chosen name during the bookstore-naming contest.

Powell said that she brainstormed many ideas with her friends and family, but came up with Box Office Books on her own.

“Since the store is in the old theater I wanted to keep with that theme,” Powell said. “Another one I came up with was Limelight Literature, but it was a little long so I didn’t submit it.”

Both winners will receive prize money in the form of gift cards to the bookstore.

“My parents are very happy about my winning. It’ll be money towards books,” Powell said.

Powell did not get a call saying she had won, but actually saw it on the Web site so it was a “total surprise.”

Carnes said she submitted many entries, some of which were rather humorous such as The South Will Rise Again Books.

“I put a lot of thought into the history of the building and the culture of the area, as well as what sounded awesome and grabbed attention,” Carnes said. “As soon as I said the name aloud I knew it was the one.”

Overall, the contest received around 200 entries. Out of the top 20, Box Office Books was liked the most by the community according to Harry Battson, coordinator of the contest and associate vice president of university communications.

So far, reaction to the new name has been positive.

“People that I have spoken with believe the name is catchy and that it immediately conjures up the original purpose of the building as a movie theater,” Battson said.

Sophomore sociology major Kaitlin Mullins works at the new bookstore and worked at the old location for about a year. She likes the new name and said that it is really creative.

The new location is much bigger with books for pleasure, apparel upstairs and textbooks downstairs.

“I’m excited to shop at the new bookstore for textbooks,” Mullins said. “Especially since I get a discount!”

The bookstore is currently open for business, but the official grand opening will take place April 20.

Posted by Danielle Paluga on Apr 2 2010. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry