College Book Store, or CBS, at Ohio University, outside of Alumni Gateway on 50 S. Court St., has provided students and alumni with school supplies and paraphernalia since 1952.
CBS, originally selling primarily textbooks, features $8.88 T-Shirt designs, titled ‘Crazy Eights,’ and $18.04 sweatshirts, priced in honor of OU’s founding year. The campus-known deals were implemented years ago to compete with other previously open bookstores.
“We were trying to find a way to set ourselves apart, outside of the other two stores (not being) locally owned,” Gene Armes, general manager of CBS, said. “(These deals) really helped, today we’re the last surviving bookstore on campus.”
The two other competing bookstores have since closed, but the specialty deals at CBS are still advertised today.
At the heart of CBS is the part-time student employees, hired by Angela Strock, operational manager of CBS. According to Strock, the Book Store staff functions similarly to a family.
“We just really want everybody to have a good experience here and set them up for success, not failure,” Strock said. “That's why we support them as much as we do.”
Stark has worked at CBS since 2001 and is celebrating 23 years at the store in the coming months.
Samantha Brown, a junior studying middle childhood education, has worked at the bookstore since February 2023.
“(Working at CBS) did help my college experience,” Brown said. “It just kept me very busy, and it kept me focused, and it made me not procrastinate as much.”
Brown’s last day working at CBS is Thursday, and she said the job gave her valuable experience working with customers.
“(Working) gave me just overall good work experience,” she said. “So much happens here. Working retail, it’s strictly customer service, I have to think quick on my feet.”
True to its name, CBS opened primarily selling textbooks and class materials for students. As textbooks began to phase out of college syllabi, the bookstore adapted by increasing its athleticwear and clothing stock.
“I feel at some point it could get to the point where the Book Store might not be the proper name for us,” Armes said. “I mean, we'll always be ‘the Book Store,’ because when students come on campus, the first place they want to go is the bookstore.”
According to Armes, the title holds more meaning than a simple definition of what the business provides.
“We'll never get away from the name because we can’t,” he said. “I mean, just what it stands for, and for all the alumni.”
The familiar designs from the Book Store, which can be spotted on students and alumni around campus, are designed by Andrew Stout and his staff. Stout began as a part-time employee at the store and is now part-owner and assistant manager, working alongside Armes.
“We work really hard to have the newest things on the floor and make sure that we have what's in and what everybody wants to wear,” Strock said.
The managing staff at CBS often defer to their student employees for help coming up with designs and inspiration, as well.
“The bottom line, I always go to my students because they're the audience, they are our market,” Strock said.
Outside of T-shirts and Ohio athletic wear, the Book Store’s stock is diverse. With Greek Life, Art, School supply and textbook departments alongside the OU gear, the bookstore continues to expand its stock every school year.
Across the street from the bookstore is The House and Cross Court, located on 45 S. Court St. The two shops sell similar items and are under the same ownership and management as CBS.
Outside of being a business, the Book Store also engages in local philanthropy efforts. According to Armes, CBS makes donations to various fundraising efforts weekly.
“We try to accommodate all of the (fundraising) because frankly, that’s our bread and butter,” Armes said. “We try to sponsor people that sponsor us.”
The Book Store runs completely locally, including being locally owned and supplied. Its website highlights the shop as, “Run from the ground up right here in Athens.”
CBS continues to prepare for its busiest time of the year, Parent’s Weekend and football season, according to Armes, with its managers and staff.
