Swoop had two thumbs up for the new Eastern Outfitters store as he participated in its grand opening ceremony in the Student Center.
About 50 Eastern Michigan University students and staff members gathered on the first floor of the Student Center on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, to watch Swoop cut the ribbon to the spirit store. The event included snacks, a photo-op with Swoop and a wheel to spin for prizes or discounts.
Among the products on sale are hats dedicated to specific sports, including football, tennis, soccer and basketball.
“I love to see that variety," university spokesman Walter Kraft said. Kraft is EMU's vice president of communications.
Kraft said the store came together in a fantastic way and has a varied array of merchandise.
Eastern Michigan University apparel on display at Eastern Outfitters on its grand opening, Jan. 14, 2026.
Eastern Outfitters replaces the university's previous bookstore in the Student Center, following a change of business partners for the products and for books. The university moved to an online bookstore vendor, eCampus, in the fall of 2025.
At the time, Melissa Thrasher, EMU’s executive director of media relations and social media, said the university wanted to provide the convenience of online shopping to make students' lives easier.
“The goal is to save students time, money and stress so they can stay focused on their classes," Thrasher said in September 2025.
At Wednesday's grand opening celebration, Eastern Outfitters store manager Jennifer Kovach said the space had no furnishings a few months ago, when they became the new spirit store vendor for the university. There were no fixtures or products, so they had to stock the store from scratch.
Kovach oversees store operations, getting new products, hiring employees and making schedules. The store sells Eastern merchandise and school essentials such as backpacks, notebooks and pens. The store also serves as a pick-up spot for the textbooks purchased on eCampus. The store also handles commencement needs and acquires robes for all the graduates, Kovach said.
“The biggest priority is to make sure students get what they need for school," Kovach said.
The store also operates locations at basketball and football games. These serve to provide merchandise to alumni who come back for sports or others who wouldn’t regularly be on campus.
University President James Smith, who attended the grand opening event, said there are no current plans for growth; however, there is space for it. Where the textbooks used to be housed is now available room. The possibility of growth relies on the demand for product, Smith said.
EMU senior Alexis Pepper said the space looks more modern. Pepper will be getting graduation robes from the store for commencement in May.
Merchandise and accessories for sale at Eastern Outfitters on its grand opening, Jan. 14, 2026.
“I like all the options of clothes,” Pepper said.
While some students are interested in the new store, others are less impressed. EMU student LaNiece Gordy-Pulliam said in an email that the space isn’t interesting or inviting. It’s the same old product with outrageous prices, Gordy-Pulliam said.
Roommates Ella Pappas and Charlene Lemaster said that although they miss the bookstore, it does look a lot nicer than it did before.
The space looks bigger, Pappas said.
There are some new cute products, Lemaster said about pink pajama bottoms.
