the Beach on 2nd Street Grand Opening

The Forty Niner Shops Inc. opened the "Beach on 2nd Street," a new spirit shop December 1, during the annual Belmont Christmas Parade.
"The opening weekend was very positive and people were very supportive," said Don Penrod, general manager and CEO of the Forty Niner Shops Inc. He isn't sure if they will be opening any more of these types of shops until they see how business does at this first location.
The bookstore doesn't expect to lose much business to the 2nd Street shop, because the bookstore sells to the campus population while the 2nd Street location is aimed at the community.
The Forty Niner Shops are a not for profit corporation and will remain not for profit even in the new location.

Photo from www.csulb.edu

Off Campus "Spirit Store" Coming Soon!

The Forty Niner Shops Inc. hopes to open up an off campus "spirit shop" December 1 on Second Street.
"The number one reason is to build the university brand on the community and make items more accessible to alumni. It's not easy to come on campus if you're not a student," said Don Penrod, CEO and General Manager of the Forty Niner Shops Inc.
The shop on Second Street will have some different items than the bookstore on campus, including, golf equipment, baby clothes and possibly pet clothing. According to Penrod, the pricing will be relatively the same.
"The campus doesn't expect to make money in the first year, but we hope to be successful starting in year two," said Penrod.
If you want to visit the store, it will be at the existing BB Harris location, on the corner of Second and Glendora.

Quick Profile of Don Penrod

Don Penrod is the CEO and General Manager of the Forty Niner Shops Inc.
He began working for retail/food and beverage at St. Louis Community College, and after that moved into the private sector at Walt Disney World, Florida. Hearing about the job at CSULB, he egarly applied for it, got it and moved him and his wife to California.
He likes working at CSULB, he says it's exciting and there is always something to do.
He says he is committed to the students and wants to continue to help them get jobs on campus by opening new businesses like the upcoming Starbucks, while they further their education.

Enrollment Goes Up & Bookstore Sales Go Down

According to Don Penrod, CEO and General Manager of the Forty Niner Shops Inc., as student enrollment increases, the book sales at the bookstore decreases.
He believes it has to do with online purchasing of books.
"We are selling a convenience, we try to price ourselves as affordable as possible. The market of textbooks is changing," said Penrod.
Figuring out what will happen to the bookstore in the future is another challenge for Penrod. He hopes it will evolve from books to a more digital format.

Starbucks Coming Soon!

The Starbucks in the University Dinning Plaza is scheduled for completion sometime in late spring 2008, according to Don Penrod, general manager of the University's Forty Niner Shops Inc.
It was originally planned to have been opened by the beginning of this fall semester, but bidding delays and other unexpected setbacks have delayed the original timeline.
"The Starbucks will help the Shops fulfill three objectives. The first objective is to offer a food service to students that is popular and successful. The second objective is to improve the interior appearance of the Dinning Plaza, and the third objective is to leverage the Starbucks brand to instill a high level of customer service skills in our workforce," says Penrod.
Penrod believes this fits well with the Shops' strategy of employing students to enable them to earn money to pay for college while learning good job skills. He says they have found Starbucks brand to be unique and does not diminsh sales at other food service locations.
This plans to be the final addition of Starbucks on campus.

all photos from www.csulb.edu/49ershops

CSULB Bookstore Survey

The CSULB bookstore and the National Association of College Bookstores has sent out a survey in the form of e-mail to select students asking their thoughts about textbooks and course materials, according to the e-mail. It's a long survey consisting of about 25 questions based on a rating system.
Upon completing the survey, you can enter to win a 20'' color TV/DVD or $500. Participants are nationwide and will be rewarded by NACS foundation.
Graduating Senior Shelby Roberts from Huntington Beach says it's clearly the high prices of textbooks that kill her budget each semester, and that isn't something she needs to take a survey to understand.
To participate in the survey go to www.studentwatch.org

New Ideas For the Forty Niner Shops

The Forty Niner Shops are exploring the idea of putting a retail shop off campus, and Second St. would be the most likely place for it said Don Penrod, general manager of the University?s Forty Niner Shops Inc.
The project is very speculative and the reasoning behind it would be so that the school could promote the university brand while making access to CSULB merchandise easier for community members, said Penrod.
Penrod also added in regards to the now closed music listening lounge, that the University Student Union is currently negotiating other retail options. Although nothing has been confirmed, there are rumors circulating of the lounge moving downstairs to make the floors one central theme.