Musko’s Campus Shop now open online
Musko’s Campus Shop is now open online, the first of a two-part opening by Launch: Lakeland’s Student-Run Businesses.
Customers can access the online store here. A 1,000-square-foot, on-campus store, located in the Wehr Center lobby, is scheduled to open near the start of fall semester with a grand opening to follow.
Musko’s Campus Shop is also on Facebook and Instagram for updates about new products, shop specials and other news.
“The inaugural Launch leadership team has worked tirelessly to ensure a successful opening of the new merchandise store - from analyzing survey results of key target audiences to a thorough market analysis, they have done their homework,” said Lakeland President Beth Borgen. “We can’t wait to see the sales take off in the new venue, pop up shops and online.”
Last year, Launch was approached by the university to open a student-run campus shop. The goal of Musko’s Campus Shop is to provide the Lakeland community with quality, Lakeland University-branded merchandise at approachable prices to build LU pride, university connection and Launch financial security.
“We have a lineup of newly designed merchandise for every Muskies fan,” said Launch President of Merchandise Sydney Pingitore, a senior from Kenosha, Wis., majoring in marketing who has worked in retail since she was 15. “The new merchandise features designs created by students in a variety of colors, and we have plans for a retro collection to celebrate our history.”
Pingitore spoke to community professionals and independent campus shops at schools similar to Lakeland as part of the research phase of creating LU’s shop.
“The conversations I had with these professionals guided our team in the right direction and focus,” she said. “Plus, being able to visit other college shops was exciting as we brought ideas back to Launch for implementation at Lakeland.”
The physical shop inside the Wehr Center will feature glass walls and mobile merchandise displays. The displays and fixtures were purchased from other retail stores.
“We want to incorporate eco-friendly practices throughout the shop in the next 2-5 years,” said Pingitore, who noted that many of the shop’s shipping materials are made from recycled paper and some new clothing pieces are made from recycled thread and plastics. “Our goal is to be sustainable with every retail practice we can.”
Musko’s Campus Shop is led by Pingitore and Campus Shop Manager Joseph Smoot, who joined Lakeland’s staff in February and brings 25 years of retail experience in customer service, merchandising and management.
Launch plans to hire at least five students to work for the new campus shop, and those employees will have focused areas of expertise to assist the shop in growing its brand, store organization and goals.
“Students will be more involved with certain aspects of the store such as online orders, customer service and inventory stockers,” Pingitore said.
Launch offers LU students unparalleled experiential learning and small business management opportunities. Students are empowered to create, develop, manage and lead business ventures while developing into the next generation of emerging leaders.
These experiences are part of Lakeland’s Cooperative Education program, a campus-wide initiative that instills an entrepreneurial mindset that is applicable across all majors.
For more information on Musko’s Campus Shop, email MuskosCampusShop@lakeland.edu.
