By Kate Longworth
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 23, 1997

Bookstore back to full throttle after renovations

Dan Hoffman Arizona Daily Wildcat UA Associated Students Bookstore manager Frank Farias cuts the ribbon at the bookstore reopening ceremony yesterday. The bookstore began operating at full capacity, after two months of renovations.

The ASUA bookstore began operating at full capacity yesterday, after about two months of renovations designed to speed customer service and improve access to textbooks and supplies.

The "reopening" culminated with an afternoon ribbon cutting, where UA Associated Students Bookstore manager Frank Farias explained the $350,000 in changes as well as what's to come.

"We want the bookstore to be more than just a money and merchandise exchange," Farias told a gathering of about 50 students, families and university administrators.

"I want the bookstore to be the most commonly visited place on campus," he added.

UA Student Affairs Vice President Saundra Taylor and Dean of Students Melissa Vito also spoke before the ribbon cutting.

"This is just the beginning, a sort of preview of coming attractions," Taylor said. "Hopefully, as students look at the (Student Union) referendum, we will get that next step."

Dan Hoffman Arizona Daily Wildcat Alejandro Portillo, 2, adjusts his new balloon hat at the UA Associated Students Bookstore reopening yesterday afternoon. Along with balloon hats, the event featured live music, a book signing and refreshments.

Students will vote Nov. 18-19 whether to renovate and expand the Memorial Student Union, including the bookstore.

Farias hopes to expand the 23,000-square-foot store by 30,000-square feet, but is still unsure of its future size. He said he has reorganized the bookstore as best he could with its limited space.

"We have exhausted all our efforts to optimize limited space," Farias said.

He added the renovations include wider aisles, an expanded book display, a broader selection of clothing and a special checkout line for supplies.

The project was paid for with bookstore profits

Reopening events included book signings, music, food and contests, Farias said.

Wildcat reporter Tory Hernandez contributed to this report.