College Book Store, 50 S. Court St., is taking advantage of the slow summer shopping season to get a complete makeover — inside and out.

“It will be in character with Chubb (Hall) and College Green,” said associate general manager Andrew Stout, adding that he and his two business partners have been looking forward to renovating the store since they bought it in 2006.

Major outdoor renovations include creating a diagonal entrance that shoppers will be able to see from either side of the building with a stone, LED-lit College Book Store sign above it.

After renovations, the Union Street side of the building should look less like a “warehouse,” and more “ivy league class,” Stout said. This should attract extra foot traffic coming from Baker University Center, he added.

“It’s going to look more collegiate; more classy,” Stout said.

The brick columns will be restored to match the original look of the building, as well as the discreet bronze lettering that will be placed above the windows of the store, he said.  

College Book Store managers will use the outdoor renovations as an excuse to rework the inside. They worked with one of Ohio University’s public relations groups, ImPRessions, to research how students felt about the store. Through surveys and focus groups they found that students disliked the crowds at the entrance of the store at busy times.

“Students would walk in the entrance and just leave,” Stout explained.

The new setup of the store will work around the old columns and stairwell by shifting the entryway to the right of the stairs. A movable wall will be erected to the left of the stairs, allowing the flow of the store to be changed to a circular path during when there’s a lot of business.

“It’s just going to flow much better,” said employee Calaina Goodyear, adding that the service desk will be moved to the center of the store, allowing for better access.

The new look will allow for 15 registers to be open when the store needs them. While they are sacrificing some merchandising area to make this adjustment, managers believe the change is well worth it.

Managers hope that all outdoor renovations will be finished before pre-college orientation. Indoor renovations will begin shortly after and should only take a few weeks.