Mississippi College Bookstore Relocates in 2012

The new two-story bookstore building will include more than 14,000 square feet of space.

Mississippi College’s bookstore will have a new home by the fall of 2012 near the heart of Clinton’s historic Olde Towne businesses.

“We see this as an enhancement to the downtown Brick Street area and an effort to bring visitors to the campus,” said Steve Stanford, MC’s vice president for administration and government relations. It should also increase student traffic at the bookstore’s new address, the corner of Jefferson and Madison streets.

Expect to see the MC bookstore open its doors early in the fall 2012 semester that begins classes in late August.

Much of the work starts early in the new year. Demolition of the building that once housed the university’s interior design program should be completed by the second week in January. That paves the way for bookstore construction, Stanford said.

Mississippi College’s interior design program was recently relocated to Farr Hall.

The new two-story bookstore building will include more than 14,000 square feet of space. On the upper floor will be room for ten single dwelling efficiency lofts designed for MC graduate students. The lofts should be completed by early August.

For years, MC operated its bookstore in Alumni Hall. Now loaded with textbooks, MC clothing, gift items, and campus supplies, the facility will be renovated to make way for student “hangout space.” The area will accommodate students wishing to watch TV, study or just relax for a few minutes between classes.

Mississippi College’s bookstore is among the ten campus stores operated in the Magnolia State by the Follett Corporation. Others are located at Delta State University, Millsaps College, Jackson State University, Holmes Community College, Alcorn State University and Tougaloo College. Others across state lines include bookstores at Florida State University, Rollins College, the University of North Alabama, the University of Mobile and Tennessee State University.

The Follett Corporation has been in the bookstore business for more than 135 years.

While the new MC bookstore will have a little less space than its present location in Alumni Hall, the modern facility figures to be more attractive to thousands of students, faculty, staff and visitors.

A small eatery, including a coffee shop, will be built in space adjacent to the MC bookstore. “The food concept is still being finalized,” Stanford said.