Despite having a name that confusingly refers to another building on campus, the Archway Stationery Shop has been a staple of the Link for decades. But as of last Thursday, the University pulled the plug.
Campus and Collegiate Life Services Director, James Lindsay, said that this move was to “enhance options for students on campus” and is part of a wider strategy to provide “outstanding student experiences and campus environments”. Additionally, that Archway Shop “could not contain the amount of stationary” that the Campus South Shop can. This was not the result of explicit student feedback, rather an assumption that as the stationery had to be “regularly restocked” there “appeared to be a demand”.
It is currently unconfirmed whether a food or retail outlet will be put in its place. Critic is in the process of writing a proposal that we establish a special satellite office for Booze Reviews.
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE STATIONERY?
For stationery needs, students are now forced to go to the Campus South Shop by the library, conveniently the same shop where they are pushing all of their 150-anniversary merchandise. They also sell “University apparel, graduation gifts, phone accessories, Highlanders clothing” and so on, which begged the question, will there actually be more space for stationery in the Campus South Shop than there was in the Archway Shop?
Lindsay said “yes”. Critic has our measuring tapes ready.
Students Critic spoke with were not nearly as heartbroken as we were by the news. They said that if the “demand was there”, then it “made sense” to move the stationery to a bigger shop. So long as the stationery will “really be given more space” than before. One student asked if all of the stationery was going to get the “150 branding” on them, too. Only time will tell.