Bowie students open Bear merch store
(BOWIE HIGH SCHOOL -- Dec. 20, 2019) — The Oso Good Food Truck students debut their latest business venture Thursday, selling Bowie swag and other merch for alumni, students and staff in their new store.
The Bowie Cave, located within the school’s cafeteria, formally dedicated the store Thursday evening – nearly selling out the shirts, hoodies, beanies, mugs and other spirit merchandise. The store also will have a print shop for students and staff can order copies, laminate and posters. It also has seating for a student hang out.
“It’s a great new project we’re doing,” said senior Emily Badillo, marketing manager. “We’re really excited. I think it’s going to bring more students together. They’ll want to come to the store and chill or to buy something new.
The store will mostly be managed by students in the culinary club, but StuCo, courtesies and other students will have the opportunity to work in the store for retail experience and community service. Profits from the store go back to the school.
“It’s not just for our club,” said chef Christopher Puga, who runs the culinary program. “The culinary student wanted to go outside the box. They already do customer service and they’ve been successful at it but their thought was let’s think about doing something for the whole school and not just something that benefits our program and the food truck. ‘What’s our next step?’”
The store will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days.
Puga said he also will be bringing in retail managers from area businesses to interact with the students, showing them that they are doing real-world applications.
The students expect the store to also be a source of pride for their alma mater. The store opened with approximately 10 different types of merchandise but will grow to at least 20 in January after winter break include a variety of clothes and accessories with the oso mascot – some specifically for alumni.
“This is a good way to buy stuff and represent Bowie,” said senior Emmanuel Meneses, general manager. “It’s a great thing.”
Senior Jennifer Candia, the store manager, agrees.
“We have great alumni,” Candia said. “When alumni see us out in the community wearing a Bowie shirt, they’ll get excited and ask if we go to Bowie. It makes us feel proud.”