Holiday shopping can be done on campus this season, according to Curt Parkinson, store director at the Kennel Bookstore.
The bookstore’s 35th annual Holiday Open House Sale is going on today and Saturday, all day long.
Parkinson said that all gifts, supplies and apparel inside the store will be 25 percent off. Just outside, there will be “tent specials” going on; those gift items and apparel will be 50 percent off.
“It’s our largest event that we have,” Parkinson said. “Most people don’t know this, but the bookstore is a nonprofit. So anything that is made from these sales actually goes back to the university.”
Mayra Guzman is a plant science major who has been working at the Kennel Bookstore for four years. She said that since bookstore earnings do go back into the university, students should stay on campus for holiday shopping this year.
“We are the only store on campus, which means this is the only place they can get holiday deals at Fresno State,” Guzman said. “Here, they get to buy items that show school spirit and support the university.”
Jasmine Bonilla, a senior who’s majoring in mass communication and journalism, said she’s doing some of her holiday shopping at the Kennel Bookstore because she wants gifts that have Fresno State logos on them.
“I’m one of the first in my family to go to college,” Bonilla said. “My parents want to show off how proud they are, so apparel and mugs are the perfect gifts for them to share in the school spirit.”
Guzman said that though the Holiday Open House Sale has been successful in past years, she expects the bookstore to be busier than ever this year.
“The football team has been doing really well, so they’ve brought a lot of attention to Fresno State,” she said. “A lot of parents and students want apparel to show their spirit.”
Aside from wanting Fresno State gear, Guzman said students shop on campus because it is convenient.
“It’s a lot easier than driving to the mall or to stores,” she said. “This way, when they have a break throughout the day, they can come in, shop and then go to class.”
Guzman said she hopes students take advantage of the bookstore’s holiday sales at least once in their college careers.
“It’s about supporting Fresno State,” she said. “As an added bonus, you can come to one shop and get your whole Christmas list done there.”