GVSU expands downtown GR presence with Laker Store
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Grand Valley State University has a new merch store in downtown Grand Rapids.
School and local leaders gathered in downtown Friday to celebrate the new Laker Store, located inside the Grand Rapids Art Museum at 101 Monroe Center St. NW near Rosa Parks Circle.
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As the school watched the rejuvenation of the downtown area post-pandemic, it wanted to build a bigger presence in the area, GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella told News 8.
“We’re at the most beautiful corner of Grand Rapids, and we’re thrilled,” she said.
People can stop in to buy hats, sweatshirts and other GVSU-branded merchandise. But it will be more than a store, Mantella said, explaining it will also serve as a university center.
“Being right here on the circle, we will animate this … (as) a university outpost in many ways,” she said. “There will be ways you can look into the university if you’re a prospective student, there’s ways you can connect with us if you’re an alum.”
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, GRAM Director and CEO Cindy Foley said she hopes the new partnership will bring new audiences into the museum and create a new energy.
“A museum in the 21st century is a community hub,” she told the event’s attendees. “What we realized was we needed community partners to think with about the future of this institution.”
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