By: Erica Lampert ~Guest Writer~

The Xavier Bookstore held its grand opening celebration for its new “All for One” shop. A new Starbucks location also opened on the site.

During the “All for One” shop’s opening on Sept. 22, students were informed that this new shop will serve as Xavier’s new bookstore.

The new location not only offers students’ course materials and a wide range of Xavier merchandise, but also contains a Starbucks, an addition some students have been eagerly awaiting.

“I am excited about Starbucks because there isn’t one on campus, and it’s the best coffee shop,” first-year Kinsey Krause said.

During the opening, Starbucks offered free samples from the store’s new line of fall beverages in order to encourage students to venture their way to see the new U. Station. Starbucks said these promotions would run for 30 days after its opening.

Members of the Xavier administration joined faculty, staff, students, community leaders and residents from Norwood and Evanston to celebrate University Station.

Both of Xavier’s mascots also attended the opening, and several representatives were there to meet with community members from around Xavier’s campus.

To encourage students to come, director of the bookstore Michael Hubbard wanted to inform students that there were several promotional options for the ceremony’s first attendees.
“We had a doorbuster promotion for the first 50 people in the door. They were given a gift card of unknown values between $5- $50 to be released at the time of a purchase,” Hubbard said.
The shop also hosted a raffle and offered several opportunities for customers to win bookstore and Starbucks prizes.

In addition to the bookstore and Starbucks location, businesses and restaurants, including Graeter’s, Digital Doc, Gold Star Chili, Fat Daddy’s Donuts and FroZenYo, are planning to open Writerat University Station.

Students are excited for the new additions that will be close to campus.
“Graeter’s is my all-time favorite ice cream store. Having a Graeter’s within walking distance on campus is so exciting,” first-year Colleen Cavanagh said.

U. Station has been developed by a partnership between the university, Ackermann Group, and recogMesser Construction Co.

Developers constructed U. Station adjacent to Xavier’s campus in the hopes of connecting students with local residents.

University Station, named after the now-unused railroad tracks that run through the site, is located on the corner of Montgomery Road and Cleneay Avenue.

The first phase of this project cost around $54 million in development and included 46,000 square feet of office space, 39,000 square feet of retail space, 1,000 parking spaces, 11,000 square feet for the bookstore and a 225,000 square foot, 117-unit apartment complex for students and the local community.

Phase two of University Station is underway allowing for more office space and possibly a hotel on the remaining property.

Developers have taken out a loan with U.S. Bank in order to finance this project. Some funding has also come from New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) from local and national sources as well.
The project also plans to use funds from a City of Norwood Tax Increment Financing District to help fund the required public improvements.

There will be another formal opening on Sept. 25 for the development.