Not many students can say they have successfully started and run a retail business before they graduate college, but students working at the new Craig School of Business Student Store are doing just that.

The store, which had its grand opening Jan. 22, is located in the Craig School of Business (CSB) and sells clothing items like T-shirts and sweaters featuring CSB branding.

The CSB’s store is operated by students who have spent the last semester working to make the project a reality. All the students involved in the store are part of Haiying Zhang’s business administration 190 course, which offers 3 units of elective credits as an incentive to join the CSB Student Store team.

Students Michaela Kemble and Elizabeth Peña, who have been in BA 190 since last semester, were happy to see the store operational after plans to open the previous semester fell through.

“We’re really excited that it’s finally open,” Peña said.

The store is very much a team effort, according to Kemble and Peña. Currently, there are 14 students occupying a variety of departments such as store operations, marketing, finance and product development.

“Everybody contributes something different,” Peña said.

The students hope to eventually expand their product line to include items like pencils, mugs, stickers, portfolios and other supplies.

Both Kemble and Peña hope more students will take the opportunity to join and learn how to run a real business. The store will be open throughout the summer, which Kemble hopes will attract more students to the project.

For any students interested in participating in the project, BA 190 is open to all students with at least a junior standing (60 units). It has already attracted business, fashion merchandising, communications and graphic design majors.

“It’s probably the best way to learn on campus,” Kemble said. “This is all on us, all student run. So we’re learning a lot.”