No Dusty Books Here as the U-Store Gears Up for Hundred-Year Celebration

Matthew Hersh

When one thinks of an old book building on Princeton University's campus, probably the first things that come to mind are the vast depths of Firestone Library and the dingy smell of volumes of academia tickling the olfactory senses.

The Princeton University Store, aka, the U-Store, could also be seen as an aging campus literary institution. But as it enters its second century, its visage is surprisingly modern, hardly that of a centenarian.

Of course, the co-op has had its share of makeovers during that time, but the fact remains that for over 100 years, the U-Store has performed a service to both the University community and the community at-large.

Originally a student agency in the 1890s, the store has existed as a cooperative student establishment since 1905, when it operated out of a dorm room in West College before expanding to the entire first floor of the building, according to Virginia France, director of marketing at the U-Store.

As the store became more successful and continued to expand throughout the 1920s, a separate music shop was added downtown and further additions were built at the West College site. "It took over two rooms, then the whole floor, then they had to put a basement under it and they even had to have an addition built on," Ms. France said.

In fact, a look at West College today offers some illustration of the impact the U-Store had on the building when it thrived in that spot. "[The building] is almost like two parts because of the way the addition was made."

And it continued to grow.

The not-for-profit cooperative now has an estimated 65,000 members on its rolls, Ms. France said. Not all are active, but many certainly pay the store its proper dues when back in town for Reunions weekend. The one-time membership fee is $25.

While closely tied with the University (it is, after all the University Store), the U-Store operates independently, and even pays the institution rent for its current home on University Place. The store actually is governed by its own board of trustees composed of students, faculty, staff, and administration members.

The U-Store moved to 36 University Place in 1958, and, as Ms. France was quick to point out, proudly boasts its own free parking lot, an in-town amenity as precious as platinum, it seems.

But like West College, the U-Store could not be confined to one space. In 1972, it expanded into the upper levels of the building, once occupied by the Daily Princetonian, the school's daily publication. While the new level was used to store hi-fi equipment, the basement floor housed the camera department.

In 1989, an entire third floor was added to the building for administrative offices and text book holdings.

Eventually, the general book inventory was placed on the third floor, only to once again descend to the first floor this year.

No celebration would be complete without a birthday bash, and the U-Store is planning an anniversary sale set to begin today and run through Sunday. The sale will be 25 percent off "almost everything" in the store, Ms. France said. However, the sale will only be available for members. Members can join for a one-time fee of $25, and, during the times when the U-Store is not celebrating a birthday, members will receive a five percent discount on "almost anything in the store," and 10 percent off general books.

Ben Bunn '07

Think of the University's Class of '07 and think of a sophomore hitting the books with a couple years to go before graduation. But think of the Class of 1907 and think of Benjamin Franklin Bunn.

In our time, he may be better known in University circles as the namesake of the B.F. Bunn Award, Princeton University Mens Basketball's top honor, but in the early 20th century, he was known as "Mr. Princeton," and held the distinction of being the U-Store's first manager.

Bunn will be commemorated with the "Bunn Stuffed Tiger" as part of the U-Store's centennial celebration.