On Thursday September 10th, Hopkins held the Campus Store Grand Reopening Celebration, an event that welcomed individuals to see the new layout and amenities of the campus bookstore. Major store renovations took place during the summer months of 2026 after Follett Higher Education Group assumed operations from Barnes and Noble in 2025.
On Thursday, over 100 students lined up outside the store waiting for the 11 A.M. start. When the doors were opened, attendees were treated to sugar cookies with Hopkins logos, a photobooth, and a popcorn machine. Alexis Daniels, a Washington D.C. based event planner, brought the popcorn machine in addition to the balloon garlands she made for the event. In an interview with The News-Letter, Daniels described her experience working with Hopkins.
“This space is really nice,” she said. “It was really good working with Hopkins.”
Daniels has worked with other universities, including George Washington University, to plan events in the past.
Kristin Forbes, who joined Hopkins with Follett Education, is the new store manager. She has been working on the space’s renovation for over a year. In an interview with The News-Letter, she described her enthusiastism about how the changes to space will affect the atmosphere.
“We really wanted to make this feel like a store for the students,” Forbes said. “You guys are always welcome here.”
Forbes explained that although the person-oriented design of the store prioritized student experience, the store’s renovations were meant to extend beyond student needs.
“You know how Hopkins has security all around the building,” she said. “They come here with regularity. Everybody’s welcome: community, staff, faculty, students.”
Officer Iona Brown was working as security outside the store during the celebration. In an interview with The News-Letter, she confirmed Forbes’ description of the store as a welcoming space for security staff to recharge.
“It’s a nice, chill, cool spot for us to go sit down as security guards,” she said. “We can charge our phones, relax and get some air.”
Students, seasoned and new at Hopkins, had an overwhelmingly positive view of the reconnations. Some of these renovations included the adding of a Changing room, the revamping of a technology sales and J-card and IT service and increased seating on the second floor.
Savannah Anderson, a senior at Hopkins, was the last person to receive a complimentary gift bag as the 100th person in line. In an interview with The News-Letter, she described her excitement about the bookstore.
“I think the new bookstore is great,” she said. “I’m glad I get to experience this during my senior year before I graduate.”
Anthony Lu, a freshman at Hopkins, visited the bookstore in December before he began classes at Hopkins. In an interview with The News-Letter, he explained that the store looked significantly improved and admired the modern look.
“When I first came here, the bookstore did look old,” he said. “I like the layout now. Something I especially like is the Hello Kitty merchandise.”
Attendees of the event were given discounts to apply to their purchases and shopped the bookstore aisles shortly after the celebration began. Many perused the merchandise, which has been newly organized. Additionally, under Follet Education, Hopkins affiliates will be able to customize their own merchandise online.
Whitney Taylor, a professional staff member of 14 years at Hopkins, was similarly impressed by the store’s renovation. In an interview with The News-Letter, she described her curiosity about how the bookstore might be affected by Follet Education’s takeover and her eventual satisfaction.
“I love the look: nice, new and fresh,” she said. “I really hope it does well.”
In addition to housing merchandise and providing study space, the bookstore is expected to host events like book signings, live music and art exhibitions.
