When the opportunity arose, Bookstore Manager Andrew Mantz, Bismarck State College, didn’t hesitate to pursue opening a dedicated athletic store inside the new stadium. Expanding the store’s retail footprint is just the beginning of bringing new merchandise options to students and the broader community.
“The new stadium will be a great facility for students. There is a lot of be excited about,” Mantz said. “It offers significantly more amenities for athletes and creates opportunities for students to interact and engage. When we were presented with the chance to open a team store, we knew it was something we wanted to be part of. Right now, we are in the process of moving in and preparing for the grand opening.”
To ensure a seamless launch, Mantz collaborated across multiple departments and partners. “We’ve worked closely with our IT department, finance office and MBS to make sure everything is properly set up and running online,” Mantz said. “We’ve designed the store exactly how we envisioned it, and now we’re focused on making sure everything operates smoothly ahead of opening day.”
During the stadium’s grand opening open house, students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to tour the facility and explore its many features, including the new team store
“We’re planning for about 90% of the merchandise in the team store to be exclusive and not available in our main store,” Mantz said. “That makes visiting the team store a unique experience, since customers will find a completely new selection they haven’t seen before. To keep things clear, the two stores will also operate with separate website links.”
The new store will also introduce new brands to better align with the athletics program
“For example, our athletics program is sponsored by Adidas, but we haven’t traditionally carried much Adidas merchandise. We’re really excited to bring that into the team store. Fans will be able to see what the athletes are wearing and then come in and purchase the same brand — it’s a great connection.”
The experience of launching an additional retail location has been both challenging and rewarding for Mantz.
“I’m still learning every day, and this project has definitely helped me grow,” Mantz said. “Communication has been key. I’ve made it a priority to connect with the right people to accomplish what needs to be done. MBS has been a tremendous support. My representative, Sarah Hobbs, and System Sales Consultant Heather Gillespie have both played a big role in making sure the new store is properly set up and ready to go.”
