On Friday, Oct. 10, President Fry cut the ribbon for the Temple University campus store, welcoming Owls to the new and improved space in renovated Paley Hall. 

Now located at 1210 Polett walk, the Temple Campus Store has undergone a massive transformation from its previous location in the lower level of the Howard Gittis Student Center. Featuring a two-floor shopping experience, expanded merchandise options, tech-integrated course material pick-up, school supplies, dorm items and more, the new store is ready to support the Temple community.  

“This is the corner of Main and Main,” Fry commented. “To have the store located in the heart of campus is such an important thing. This is all about community; this is all about connection.” 

The grand opening ceremony was attended by Temple faculty, staff and students, with remarks from Jonathan Reiter, senior associate vice president of business affairs and administration; Arthur Johnson, vice president and Debbie and Stanley Lefkowitz ’65 director of athletics; Emmanuel Kolady, CEO of Follett Higher Education; and President John Fry.  

“A university store can be more than just a place to conduct a transaction. It can be a place of connection, a place to socialize. And overall, it should be a place you walk in to and can’t help but feel that Temple pride,” shared Reiter.  “We finally have the bookstore that reflects the spirit and excellence of our institution and our community.” 

Team members from Follett Higher Education, Temple’s store management partner, shared their excitement with attendees. For Kolady, this opening is personal as well as professional, as his daughter is currently a first-year student at Temple.  

“Our purpose is to inspire, enable, and celebrate the academic journey. I believe the campus store plays a huge role in this, doing everything from engaging students from move-in day all the way to graduation and into their journey as alumni, stewarding a lifelong relationship,” shared Kolady. “We’re so excited to bring this store to life to create that meaningful connection with students.” 

Following the official ribbon-cutting, President Fry and others held open the doors and welcomed the Temple community, cheering: “Come on in!”  

The store is open for business: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays. 

—Isabella López