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Festivities, fun at bookstore dedication
September 06, 2007
The atmosphere was festive at the dedication of Garfield Book Company at PLU last Tuesday.
Garfield Street was closed from Pacific Avenue to C Street South to make room for a fair-like street event that included the lively tunes of the Central Avenue Marimba Ensemble, a group of student musicians from the Franklin-Pierce School District. A friendly clown was also on hand to make balloon animals, along with booths that featured airbrush face-painting, organic kettle corn and raffle prizes.
About 100 campus and community members gathered outside the bookstore for the ceremony, which included a brief welcome and statement by President Loren Anderson, a litany, the presentation of the keys and a ribbon cutting.
“Today we celebrate the transformation of a critical community corner into a new and thriving retail center,” Anderson said.
The corner of Pacific Avenue and Garfield Street – the gateway to PLU – used to be little more than an empty, rock-filled lot. Nearly 18 months after the complex’s groundbreaking ceremony, the corner has been transformed into the stunning Garfield Commons retail complex, he said.
The project has helped PLU forge new ties with the Parkland, Spanaway and Midland communities, as well as with the local school districts of Bethel and Franklin-Pierce, Anderson said. The university looks forward to continuing collaborative efforts to improve the pedestrian experience on Garfield Street by widening sidewalks and adding trees, benches and lighting.
“This dedication is special because it reflects the growth of the university and our desire to be a force in the community,” Anderson said.
Anderson highlighted the unique community nature of the bookstore. Along with college textbooks, school supplies and PLU apparel, Garfield Book Company also carries products for the greater Parkland community, area school districts and home-schoolers, as well as fair trade global products and Pacific Northwest gifts.
Anderson also pointed out the many environmentally friendly features of the store. These include bamboo flooring, recycled carpet tiles, energy efficient light fixtures and an abundance of windows to let in more natural light and reduce energy use.
“I think (the bookstore) is wonderful,” said senior Emily Dooley. “The many sustainable features makes it even better in my mind.”
The administration’s commitment to perpetuating sustainability beyond the campus borders was especially impressive, she said. And the combined college and community focus of the bookstore will act as a springboard, propelling students into the community and increasing their interaction with Parkland community members.
“I feel like there was a barrier before,” Dooley said. “This will help break down barriers between the community and the students.”
Felix Guzman, owner of Reyna’s Mexican Restaurant on Garfield Street, has high hopes for the Commons building. When he opened his restaurant years ago, his goal was to boost the local economy by promoting and hosting local events in his restaurant. So far, he’s been unable to affect change on his own, he said.
“I’m so happy to see this, that someone is doing what I wanted to do,” Guzman said of the bookstore. “What they are doing is marvelous, fabulous.”
Reyna’s was one of the many Garfield Street restaurants that offered lunch specials on Tuesday. Guzman said his restaurant was full all afternoon.
“It’s the kind of thing you like to see,” said Ed Inch, dean of the School of Arts and Communication. “It has possibility to transform the neighborhood.”
About 100 campus and community members gathered outside the bookstore for the ceremony, which included a brief welcome and statement by President Loren Anderson, a litany, the presentation of the keys and a ribbon cutting.
“Today we celebrate the transformation of a critical community corner into a new and thriving retail center,” Anderson said.
The corner of Pacific Avenue and Garfield Street – the gateway to PLU – used to be little more than an empty, rock-filled lot. Nearly 18 months after the complex’s groundbreaking ceremony, the corner has been transformed into the stunning Garfield Commons retail complex, he said.
The project has helped PLU forge new ties with the Parkland, Spanaway and Midland communities, as well as with the local school districts of Bethel and Franklin-Pierce, Anderson said. The university looks forward to continuing collaborative efforts to improve the pedestrian experience on Garfield Street by widening sidewalks and adding trees, benches and lighting.
“This dedication is special because it reflects the growth of the university and our desire to be a force in the community,” Anderson said.
Anderson highlighted the unique community nature of the bookstore. Along with college textbooks, school supplies and PLU apparel, Garfield Book Company also carries products for the greater Parkland community, area school districts and home-schoolers, as well as fair trade global products and Pacific Northwest gifts.
Anderson also pointed out the many environmentally friendly features of the store. These include bamboo flooring, recycled carpet tiles, energy efficient light fixtures and an abundance of windows to let in more natural light and reduce energy use.
“I think (the bookstore) is wonderful,” said senior Emily Dooley. “The many sustainable features makes it even better in my mind.”
The administration’s commitment to perpetuating sustainability beyond the campus borders was especially impressive, she said. And the combined college and community focus of the bookstore will act as a springboard, propelling students into the community and increasing their interaction with Parkland community members.
“I feel like there was a barrier before,” Dooley said. “This will help break down barriers between the community and the students.”
Felix Guzman, owner of Reyna’s Mexican Restaurant on Garfield Street, has high hopes for the Commons building. When he opened his restaurant years ago, his goal was to boost the local economy by promoting and hosting local events in his restaurant. So far, he’s been unable to affect change on his own, he said.
“I’m so happy to see this, that someone is doing what I wanted to do,” Guzman said of the bookstore. “What they are doing is marvelous, fabulous.”
Reyna’s was one of the many Garfield Street restaurants that offered lunch specials on Tuesday. Guzman said his restaurant was full all afternoon.
“It’s the kind of thing you like to see,” said Ed Inch, dean of the School of Arts and Communication. “It has possibility to transform the neighborhood.”