<!--Mark Scheer--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Mark Scheer</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com">mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>
Officials from Niagara County Community College formally welcomed a new business partner with a high-profile name on Wednesday.
NCCC President James Klyczek and members of the college’s board of trustees joined representatives from Barnes & Noble for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the national bookstore chain’s decision to assume management of the bookstore at the college’s Sanborn campus.
Barnes & Noble officially took over operations of the bookstore from the college in June, redesigning the interior of the campus retail center to reflect the style found at more than 700 college campuses nationwide where the chain does business.
“I think we wanted to be able to provide our students with a cut above in terms of what’s available in the market,“ Klyczek said. “With Barnes & Noble’s reputation in terms of what they are able to do in the market with other institutions, we really heard nothing but really good things.”
Klyczek said this is the first stage of a multi-stage plan to involve the bookstore chain in more college projects. He said the company will be brought in to serve as operator of the college’s new hospitality and tourism institute and retail outlet, which has been proposed for downtown Niagara Falls.
College officials believe allowing a company with the buying power of Barnes & Noble to assume control of the campus bookstore will pay dividends for students.
Klyczek predicted the company’s buying power will allow for better returns for students who participate in the bookstore’s buy-back program.
Hill Estock, Barnes & Noble’s vice president of stores and campus relations, said his company’s relationships with a variety of vendors allows it to provide a wider selection of books, supplies and technology than most college’s can secure on their own.
Barnes & Noble currently serves several college bookstores in the area, including those found at Niagara University, Buffalo State College and Genesee County Community College.
Estock said the company prides itself on providing career opportunities to students as well and has a program that allows students who have jobs with the company to explore transfers to other chain operated bookstores when it comes time for them to move on from two- to four-year schools.
“Because of our size and our experience, we have narrowed down the best way to provide services to students,” Estock said. “Students are at the core of our business.”
