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Monday, February 8, 2010
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School store a big hit at Crosby-Ironton
By JODIE TWEED Staff Writer CROSBY - The Ranger Mine has only been open for a week, but the new school store at Crosby-Ironton High School has become the talk of the school. It's the first time in recent years the school has had a school store, where students, staff and community members can purchase maroon-and-white C-I merchandise, as well as snacks and school supplies.
And Pam Stock, a special education teacher who is coordinating the new venture, couldn't be more thrilled.
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The Crosby-Ironton High School store, the Ranger Mine, carries a variety of C-I-themed clothing, all priced reasonably for students, staff and community members.
Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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"The whole thing has gone so much better than I even expected," said Stock. "I was worried sick. I had many sleepless nights worrying about how this was going to go."
The school store is supervised by Stock and run by her special education
students. It provides students with real-world work experience, giving them job skills they can take with them when they graduate from C-I or seek employment in the community. Stock and other special education staff had wanted to open a school store for the past three years, to operate a school store similar to those at Brainerd High School and Forestview Middle School in Baxter. The entire program is operated solely on donations; no school district funds were used to open the store. They received $2,500 in donations for start-up expenses, including a $1,000 from the student council.
Stock said the goal was to offer merchandise at reasonable prices, just enough so the store may earn a small profit so those funds may be used to purchase additional inventory. The school hosted a design contest this year and the winner, Sunny Barent, and design runner-up, Ben Drake, both had their winning artwork made into merchandise logos.
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Sarajean Vukelich (left) and Kryston Wiseley checked out the handmade fleece maroon-and-gold scarves for sale in the new Crosby-Ironton High School store.
Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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Last Monday, the store's grand opening, the store brought in $27 in sales. More than $250 in merchandise was sold Thursday. While the C-I maroon-and-white clothing is flying off the shelves, the store's biggest seller are Fruchis, a frozen fruit beverage drink. Stock had ordered four cases for the store and they were nearly sold out by Thursday.
"That's all we see kids walking around with, Fruchis," said C-I ninth-grader Samantha Goshey.
Stock said students have to fill out a job application in order to volunteer at the store. They learn valuable vocational skills, such as looking customers in the eye when they speak and greeting them when they come through the door, running the cash register and counting money, as well as stocking the shelves.
Stock said some students, who are not part of the special education program, have been so excited about the school store that they've asked to volunteer there, too. Stock said this may be a possibility. She also hopes to have a booth at some sporting events.
Stock hopes to also provide free coupons for the school store as a reward for students through the school's Positive Behavior Intervention Support program, which "catches" students doing good.
On Thursday, students continued to drop in after school to pick up a snack, like the popular Swedish fish candy, or purchase C-I sweatpants or hoodies. The school accepts merchandise donations. For example, a teacher stopped by to donate a dozen Valentine's Day-themed pencils that are now for sale in the store. Another teacher donated new three-ring binders. Next week Stock said the store will be receiving C-I-themed mint lip balm, a new offering.
"They've never had it before," Stock said of the school store. "Even the staff are excited."
Store employees are gathering ideas that people have about what to offer in the school store. Some ideas include C-I mittens, hats and jerseys.
The school store is open each school day from 8-8:30 a.m., noon to 12:50 p.m. and 2:40-3:30 p.m. Community members are invited to stop in and shop.
Stock said the store is looking for any mining memorabilia that community members would be willing to donate to add to the school decor. It could include copies of old photographs, for example. For more information, contact Stock at 545-8800, ext. 6841.
JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.
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