Pocono News Section

Bucknell Bookstore to Move Downtown

Bucknell Bookstore to Move Downtown - Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 5:37PM EST

Lewisburg, Union County-
Bucknell University wants to expand and relocate its bookstore to free up some space on campus.

The new bookstore would occupy three floors and 29,000 square feet in a vacant building at the corner of 4th and Market Streets in downtown Lewisburg.

Officials have not yet indicated whether the store would be run by university employees or an outside bookstore chain.

Reaction to the idea has been decidedly mixed.

John Cwik, of Lewisburg, said, “Well, I think it’s a good idea. I think that the building will improve. I think it will hopefully bring more people into the downtown, which is a great thing.”

Others see it differently.

Local bookstore owner Murrie Zlotziver noted, “They’re using $9 million of state money, my tax dollars and your tax dollars, to come in and compete with local businesses. I think that it’s certainly overkill when you consider that Bucknell University serves approximately 3,000 students.”

Some merchants we spoke with don’t believe the bookstore will provide the added foot traffic the university expects. And they say the extra competition could cripple their businesses.

Zlotziver added, “The students, if it’s a Barnes and Noble, they can order books online and they’ll be drop-shipped to their dorms or where they’re living. It doesn’t mean they have to come to town.”

University officials say the bookstore would be open seven days a week. It would also offer books, cd’s, dvd’s, sportswear, a café, and more. And it’s expected to create about 17 new jobs.

But some students say they like the bookstore’s location now, and would use it less if they had to travel downtown.

Freshman Ryan Gribbon said, “Yeah, it’s great. I mean, look, I just got Valentine’s Day presents for all my family, so, I think it’s perfect, yeah.”

The new bookstore could open by Fall of 2010. For now, merchants here are taking a wait and see approach.

Zlotziver said, “I mean the book business is tough enough as it is, and I knew that going in. We’ll just have to see what the people of Lewisburg decide.”

University officials believe the downtown bookstore will improve the campus-community connection. They are considering offering a daily shuttle service for students.