Students in New London High School’s Communication, Arts and Business (CAB) Academy will operate a new school-themed store
Called Percy’s Pro Shop, the store will be located inside Familiar Grounds from Dec. 5-22.
The project involves many students throughout the CAB Academy and the School of Enterprise Marketing (SEM). Five student managers will head up the project, and have completed interviews with other students who may be hired to help run the store.
Beth Hutchison, who owns Familiar Grounds, has allowed the students to set up shop inside her building at 206 N. Pearl Street.
“We have already ordered our products – mainly apparel – and we have our logo all set to go,” said Sam Porath – who, along with Brock Herzfeldt, Cambria Fitzgerald, Jake Pinch, Quinn Trumbower and Grace Mroczynski – is one of the student managers. “We have our marketing ideas in place. We have a cash register set to go. We also did a presentation for the CAB students so that they could try for a job at the store. We’re trying to make the whole project as real as possible.”
Porath said teachers encouraged the students to pursue the idea, since they knew there was a significant amount of interest. Several community business owners began meeting in April of last year to brainstorm ideas for where the store could be located.
“We had considered renting a building at one point,” said Fitzgerald. “As the discussions continued, Beth Hutchison kindly offered to let us use some space inside Familiar Grounds.”
Woods classes at the high school will help make shelves and tables for the store. Soon, those shelves will be stocked with stickers, key chains, stadium seats, and Bulldog apparel.
Proceeds from the store’s sales will be reinvested into the school store for next year. Students also hope to raise enough money to set up a scholarship that will be awarded to a student who has been involved in the project. Students will pay rent and give commissions to Familiar Grounds.
“The coolest part about this whole project is we’re using talent from all students,” stated Porath. “Kids in accounting classes, web design classes, and woods classes are all able to help with this project. The logo was designed by students as well.
“It’s a really good experience,” concluded Porath. “The store will only be open for two weeks, but it gives us a taste of how a business operates. It’s helping many of us prepare for our careers.”
Percy’s Pro Shop will be open on weekdays from 4-8 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. The store will be located within Familiar Grounds, located at 206 N. Pearl Street.