Contributed by Cathy Lee
The result of many ideas, meetings, plans and designs has been the amazing transformation of the previous First Class Bookstore into the sparkling new Connections The Campus Store. As part of the whole Student Commons Project, the old bookstore was totally gutted, redesigned, rewired, rethought and expanded, using the previous footprint to also include the old Savoir Faire space and hallway, out through the Algonquin Travel location, and relocation of the offices across the hall as well.
The shining new space is full of oversized flatscreen TVs, gleaming hardwood floors, bright display windows, a spacious customer service centre, multi cashes in a row, as well as several new surprises.
There is a lounge area in front of a gas fireplace to welcome you as you enter, and you can discover many new fun products in all of the expanded areas where you may find autumn décor gifts, assorted stationery, fun Algonquin clothing choices, treats and temptations, quirky gadgets, trendy accessories, as well as an expanded central textbook area which includes a Self-Serve Warehouse to enhance customer service. At the big blue Customer Service centre, you can decide to buy your course materials in print-based, electronic version, access code, more frugal used, or even a rental of your textbook now.
For your leisure reading, a selection of Bestsellers is featured at 30% off, or choose from a wide array of Bargain Books for any taste or budget. And don’t forget to check out the reference reading section for everything from nursing to dog cookie recipes. For your sweet tooth, to snack while you read, you can indulge by filling a bag with multiple flavours of Jelly Belly beans, or snag a bag of gourmet cookies.
There is a tea-bar where you can get Steeped and Infused loose blends of flavourful teas in black, green and herbal assortments from Vanilla Bourbon to Rooibos Chai, or try this month’s Apple Pie flavour. You can accompany that with 1 of 3 kinds of chewy brownies or a luscious Cupcake Lounge gourmet cupcake treat. Or cross the line to decadence and buy fresh chilled Godiva Gourmet Chocolates by the pound. Yummm!
All in all, I am sure that you will not recognize the old Bookstore, which has taken a huge trend leap into Connections The Campus Store, the place to browse, to meet for a mango tea, the place to find multiple formats of course materials, to discover a feather wreath for your front door, or to find a good book. Come on in and discover.
Here is another option, for you online shoppers http://www.bookstore.algonquincollege.com/