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Publication says Eli's, Starbucks bring 'excitement, purpose to downtown Greencastle'
A national publication is heralding the partnership between the City of Greencastle and DePauw University in the revitalization of the downtown.
"A perfect blend of partnership between city and state as well as public and private organizations," University Business notes. "Eli's Bookstore, its adjoining café and the community spaces not only provide an enhanced retail experience for DePauw's students, the local community and visitors but brings a renewed sense of excitement and purpose to downtown Greencastle."
Considered the most regularly read publication for higher education leaders at two- and four-year colleges and universities nationwide, University Business provides coverage of higher-education technology, news, finance, policy, profiles and more to an exclusive audience across print, digital and in-person event platforms, including the annual higher-ed technology conference, UBTech.
In a story titled "Follett's bookstore and café solution transforms a town and its community," the publication spotlights the partnership between DePauw, the city and Follett Higher Education Group, which led to the opening of a new bookstore and Starbucks Coffee shop in the courthouse square three years ago.
The story notes Greencastle's efforts to help create "the next great college town" as indicated in its Stellar Grant application.
The publication notes that "with the nearest retail coffee chain located 25 miles from town and the closest general bookstore located 60 miles away, the downtown area was lacking a central draw and business that would bring the community and college together. To develop such an experience, the city approached DePauw about relocating the campus bookstore to the downtown area. The project proposed an interesting opportunity -- the chance to expand beyond the traditional college bookstore and truly become a store of the community.
"The university realized that it needed to outsource its campus store operations to an expert and selected Follett Higher Education Group for its proven track record of successfully developing and managing blended hybrid retail stores that were university and locally focused."
Named in honor of Col. Eli Lilly, "the local founder of Eli Lilly & Co. and an avid book collector," Eli's Bookstore, officially opened its doors September 2012 "to rave reviews from students, faculty and the community alike," Kylie Lacey writes. "The locally-focused campus store provides DePauw students course materials, apparel and a technology center as well as an extensive general books department satisfying a void for the community.
"Also located within the store is a full-service Starbucks café with seating for 75 that allows the students and community to mingle as well as access to the mezzanine that features additional space to study, converse or host local community events. As an added bonus, a private community meeting room was carved out to host meetings, collaborative work sessions or small events by local businesses, DePauw faculty, students or other community groups."
DePauw President Brian Casey told University Business that "by developing Eli's Books and the adjacent Starbucks downtown, DePauw has 'put a stake in the ground' to assure that visitors not only share in the DePauw experience, but the Greencastle experience as well."
Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray told the publication, "To have a major retail anchor of this size as a magnet to bring business and more foot traffic to the downtown square is a major first step in making it the center of connection and economic activity and anchoring a college town atmosphere."