After replacing Barnes & Noble this past summer, Kansas City-based Rally House held a grand opening on Thursday, Oct. 9, to mark its transition as Drexel’s new campus book and apparel store. While Rally House had a “soft-opening” this past August to be ready for the school year, this event marks their official opening. The low-key event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local stakeholders for both Drexel and Rally House.
Flanked by two members of the Drexel Spirit Team at each entrance, the private event was attended most notably by President Antonio Merlo and Rally House CEO Aaron Liebert. Facilitated by Business Service’s Executive Director, Amanda Noll, and Interim Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management Subir Sahu, attendees appeared optimistic about the prospects Rally House would bring to the Drexel community.
Hope Holmes, the new manager for the Drexel Rally House location, remarked “how proud and excited we are to officially open the doors at Rally House right here at Drexel University.” Holmes also shared that she is looking forward to the Drexel location soon acquiring more school supplies so students can purchase them along with their books and apparel.
Also in attendance were representatives of Drexel’s Undergraduate Student Government Association, student body president Sanjna Srinivasan, and vice-president Lucy Nightingale.
“I think having Rally House here is really going to be helpful for Drexel pride,” Srinivasan said, continuing.
When asked what the transition from Barnes & Noble to Rally House has been like for students, Nightingale remarked, “I think for the most part, people might be confused where that transition was. We’ve heard feedback about maybe getting more notebooks and things like that into Rally House, but I know Business Services and the store manager [are] already working on that,”
The transition has been relatively seamless, and the Drexel community seems receptive to Rally House’s arrival. Rally House appears committed to being a part of the Drexel community, accepting Dragon Dollars and, so far, welcoming feedback from students and staff.