Staff Writer- Jacob Erlandson
Are you one of the many college students constantly on the hunt for a good deal and the next bargain? Are you dedicated to reuse and environmental sustainability? Are you looking to be fashionable? To show school spirit? For a new dorm chair? Well, look no further than the Gustavus Swap N Shop. A project years in the making that has recently been quickly picking up steam!
The Johnson Center for Environmental Innovation and the Chaplain’s office are excited to announce their joint venture in creating a thrift store on Campus. The project, headed up by Sustainability Manager and Co-Director of the Johnson Center Kari Wallin and her team of student Sustainability Interns behind popular programs like Trash2Treasure and the Gustie Garage Sale, aims to provide low cost clothing items, home goods, and other essentials to Gustavus students.
“Sustainability interns have been working for just about a year to transition Trash2Treasure into a full time thrift shop,” Sustainability Intern, Student Senate Environmental Sustainability Committee Chairperson, and Sophomore Charles deVries said.
The Swap N Shop is opening the basement area of Norelius Hall in the former location of Campus Safety before they relocated in 2024. Interns have been busy refurbishing the space and are eager for the October 9th opening date. The store currently plans to be open on Friday afternoons from approximately one to four PM. However, these dates are subject to change depending on student engagement, donations, and staffing.
The Gustavian Weekly was fortunate enough to receive a tour of the yet to open space from deVries, who also noted their hopes to institute an exchange based program where students have an option to trade donations for stocked goods or just outright pay for them. While the store will primarily be run by the Sustainability Interns, they are eagerly accepting student donations and embrace the possibility of looking for volunteers in the future if the store is a success.
However, for students who are looking to get more involved with sustainability on campus, Sustainability Intern and Junior Annalise Maiers says the best way to get started is by educating yourself on sustainability practices as simple as sorting your waste products more efficiently to more advanced topics like implementing renewable energy sources on campus. Wallin encourages students to follow the sustainability team on instagram (@gacsustainibility) and to keep in touch with the Swap N Shop once it gets online, as these communities will keep you updated on events, opportunities, and ideas relating to sustainability! Maiers also suggested students become involved in groups such as the Environmental Action Coalition, a student organization dedicated to taking political action on environmental issues.
Both members of the Johnson Center emphasized the importance of students sharing vocal support for environmental initiatives on campus and spreading awareness.
Overall, students and staff alike are optimistic about the Swap N Shop serving to educate students on sustainability. It could also deepen the department’s connections to community initiatives like Trash2Treasure, local thrift stores, and Mankato-based A Fresh Start, an organization that is dedicated to supporting people coming out of homelessness.
Wallin also notes that the space in the basement of Norelius Hall is not currently in compliance with the the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, it is of the utmost importance for the Johnson Center, the Chaplains’ Office, and all involved to create an accessible program for all to enjoy and benefit from. They are currently pursuing a number of strategies involving providing online catalogs and creating accessible donation stations.