An old proverb states that everything old is new again. This rings especially true in the case of Wilmington College’s campus bookstore — now known as The Cove — which is fully owned and operated by the College.
The original Cove holds a special place of nostalgia and intrigue in WC history when, following World War II, an influx of veterans boosted the institution’s enrollment to previously unseen heights. The Cove was a campus snack bar and student union housed in a WWII surplus Quonset hut near the current site of Friends Hall. It served the campus community from 1948 through 1955.
This summer, the College ended its 35-year relationship with Follett Bookstores and embarked upon readying the facility in Pyle Student Center for the fall semester. President Corey Cockerill suggested calling the retail shop The Cove — with deference to the campus gathering place from eight decades ago — as it combines both the campus bookstore and mailroom.
Sigrid Solomon, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, has The Cove under her purview. She noted that the College enlisted Kristin Zeller from its I.T. Department to “lay the foundation” for the college enterprise. “She accomplished a heavy lift in a brief amount of time. I can’t give her enough credit.”
ABOVE - The original Cove snack bar and student union is pictured circa 1950.
Zeller hearkened Follett’s “corporate feel” and the College’s interest in providing a more inviting atmosphere however, a lot of her initial work was accomplished behind the scenes. “It was important to have eCampus in place for students when they arrived in mid-August. Indeed, students order their books and course supplies online through eCampus, which has an arrangement with the bookstore for fast and free delivery to WC.
While the chemistry and history books are gone from its shelves, The Cove has an ever-increasing inventory of WC-branded spirit wear, refreshments and unique gifts from local entrepreneurs’ cottage industries. Some of those gifts include unique, handcrafted WC accessories from Luvumore Workshop, which is owned and operated by alumna Abbie Camp Niklasson; photo cards and handmade bracelets by a local photographer Molly Boatman; and items from a student entrepreneur, sophomore Madyson Joseph’s endeavor, Mady’s Crochet Creations.
Luvumore’s WC earrings and other pieces of jewelry and accessories sold so quickly at the start of the semester that she had to restock by Homecoming. “As an alumna, the opportunity to have my handmade accessories available to shop on campus means the world to me,” Niklasson said. “Every opportunity to grow this business’ reach is so valuable but to have a presence at Wilmington College feels really special to me.”
Luvumore Workshop's earrings and accessories area in The Cove is one of several highlighting the work of local, alumni and student entrepreneurs.
Zeller said the College “won the lottery” by hiring alumna and Wilmington resident Tara Williams as the director of The Cove. She attended the College in the early 2000s and came to the position with 20-plus years of experience in retail. Her daughter, Tiaja Walker, is a freshman at WC.
“It feels really good to be back at Wilmington College, where I learned from great leaders and mentors,” she said, noting she concurs with Zeller's desire to foster an inviting atmosphere. “You want it to feel like the College, not like a third-party vendor.”
Alumni and families will get a taste of The Cove this weekend at Homecoming when the bookstore is set up in the middle of festivities outside Williams Stadium from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with expectations of displaying new merchandise delivered this week. Solomon is excited The Cove has “right-priced” the popular WC-branded T-shirts, sweatshirts, ballcaps and other apparel. “We want students, alumni and families to get their swag at a reasonable price.”
An online store is coming soon featuring WC attire from BSN, the College's sports uniform supplier.
PICTURED AT THE TOP: From the left are Tara Williams, director of The Cove; Kyah Chaney, a senior working at the bookstore; Kristin Zeller, I.T. staff member who headed the transformation from a Follett bookstore to The Cove; and Sigrid Solomon, vice president for student affairs and dean of students.