By Brianna Allard
The Fordham bookstore moved to O’Keefe Commons over the summer and received a makeover in the process. Zack Miklos/The Fordham Ram.
In many ways, a bookstore defines a college. It is the place where students, both old and new, go to buy merchandise that shows their love for their school. As a result, the store is a crucial landmark of any college campus. And now, Fordham’s bookstore is new and improved.
The bookstore recently moved from the McGinley Center to what was formerly O’Keefe Commons, under O’Hare Hall and right next to the parking garage.
Fordham could not have picked a better spot. In terms of revenue and sales, this move was very smart for the university. The bookstore is now right across from the parking garage, so it is practically impossible to miss when walking into Fordham. This will not only help sales during sporting and other campus-wide events, but it will also generate more revenue from prospective students when they come to visit the school for a tour or an open house. Even returning parents may be more likely to drop by the bookstore on their way out of the university.
Additionally, the bookstore is much larger than it was previously. When I first went into the new store I was astounded by the difference.
In the old bookstore, there was hardly any room to move around all the clothing racks and bookshelves. Now, there is plenty of room for both customers and merchandise. As my friends and I noticed upon walking into the new bookstore, this increase in square footage means a greater variety and volume of items. A previous grievance with the bookstore was that many students could not find any Fordham apparel that they liked.
Furthermore, this relocation makes the bookstore easier to access. Previously, it was tucked in an obscure corner of the McGinley Student Center. In my opinion, this location sent the wrong type of message. In the past, going to the bookstore, and even finding it for the first time, was a challenge.
Now, it is much easier to locate, and for me as a tour guide, it is much easier to explain the location to families visiting Fordham for the first time.
Another major difference I have noticed with this change is the layout. This move has made way for an entirely new looking store.
For example, there is now a section of books that are not explicitly reserved for classes. This section makes the bookstore seem more like a Barnes & Noble, with which our bookstore is affiliated. For me, this addition was a valuable change.
Additionally, the new layout allows for the expansion of certain aspects of the bookstore. For example, in the front of the store there is a section called The Market, in which one can find items like bathroom essentials as well as a variety of snacks. This expansion is very convenient for students who are closer in vicinity to the bookstore than Walgreens, and I predict it will be especially convenient in the winter when walking outside means that you have to put on five layers to stay warm.
Along with the expansion of the market, the section of the bookstore responsible for selling basic school supplies grew as well.
Now it is more organized and there is a greater variety of supplies from which to choose. I found this new feature very favorable, as last year I did not even think about buying my notebooks and such from the bookstore because there was no space to browse comfortably. However, with this new layout, I may change my mind.
The final change to the bookstore that I find most convenient is the relocation of the book pickup. Every upperclassman will remember the small, cramped book pickup window in the old bookstore.
Now, however, the book pickup location is on the patio outside, which is a huge improvement. I have never done book pick-up, mostly for the reason that I did now want to wait in the line worried about being in someone’s way. Now, however, I am more inclined to use this feature of the bookstore as the pickup area is extremely accessible and open.
Overall, the relocation of the bookstore could not have been a better decision for Fordham. I predict that the relocation will prove to be fiscally effective as it will increase the revenue of the bookstore by leaps and bounds. The new and improved store also takes many steps to enhance convenience for Fordham students as well.
The only question left is what will happen to the space in McGinley that was the bookstore: will it be offices? Will it be geared towards students? Or, is it possible that the cafeteria may be expanded?
Only time will tell.
Brianna Allard, FCRH ’18, is a communication and media studies major from Somers, Connecticut.
The Fordham Ram 
