Rowan’s own local pantry and resource shop, The Shop, located at 124 State Street, has just opened up its new Career Closet. Students can visit and browse The Shop’s wide variety of career-associated attire. The Shop also offers a selection of winter clothing, which they hope to expand as the weather gets colder. Currently, The Shop’s variety of career-related clothing includes blazers, jackets, cardigans, ties, shirts, blouses, sweaters, dresses, pants, skirts, bags, jewelry, belts, and shoes. All clothing has been donated by professors and other donors and was made available in the hopes that students have affordable clothing options that fit their unique field of study or work.
Alexandria Kerr, Rowan alumni and now coordinator at The Shop, has said their mission is to provide options for every student in need as they continue to grow their inventory. While this resource is available for all Rowan students, The Shop asks that students consider the difference between need and convenience.
“While we’re still in the process of developing and collecting donations for the Professional Clothing Closet, specific style and size requests may unfortunately be unavailable,” Kerr said. “ Our mission is to support needs.”
The Shop opens at 9 a.m., and the doors close at 11 a.m. and run from Monday through Wednesday. It is open to all students and even alumni who still have their Rowan Card. If you are interested in the Career Closet, ask at the front, and they will bring you upstairs, and you can browse their stock. All items in The Shop are free and donated by various stores such as Shop Rite, Dollar General, Acme, and various private donors. Staff see about 300 students per week, and stock goes by quickly. If you don’t see yourself using the clothing more than once and only need it for a special occasion such as an interview or career-related activity, The Shop is more than happy to take it back and put it back on the shelves for another student to use.
Aaron Lvov, a freshman entrepreneurship major, was surprised to hear of The Shop’s new addition and said that it was interesting that they had expanded to clothing.
“I would probably pop over, there’s probably some good finds in there. I’d imagine it’s like going thrifting,” said Lvov.
Isaac Linsk, a senior journalism major in his final semester, said he would maybe check it out as he did have professional clothing, just not something that fits the traditional aesthetic.
“I knew they had some accessories and that kind of thing, but I didn’t know that it expanded to clothing,” said Linsk.
Their choices in clothing are just starting, and there are already plans to expand even more in the coming weeks and months. So, feel free to stop by The Shop and check out the brand new Career Closet to help dress for the future.
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