You might be surprised to know that the bookstore’s most sold item is socks. Or that the bookstore employees had no control over the new bookstore policy restricting Middle School students from visiting in the mornings. What else is surprising about this popular spot? 

The campus bookstore is a spot frequented by students that’s home to spirit, snacks, and school supplies, available to all of the Westminster community. Hundreds of Middle and Upper School students alike visit daily to grab a snack, buy a Westminster sweatshirt, or purchase some school essentials, but does anyone really know how those items arrive there, or what kind of planning goes into new bookstore rules? What happens behind the scenes of the bookstore? 

The operation starts at around 6:00 AM when general service worker Joe Wright, who helps to transfer items to the bookstore once they’re delivered to campus, arrives at the school. Wright describes himself as the bridge between the bookstore and the facilities team. “I just distribute; I’m the middleman,” he says. Approximately 15 bulk packages can be delivered to the bookstore per day by the General Services Team. They are essential to our campus, and without them, the bookstore wouldn’t have all the different items it does on a daily basis. 

Items sold at the bookstore change with the seasons, with fun Christmas or Halloween-themed snacks coming in around the holidays. Interestingly, the bookstore’s most-sold item is socks, with Oreos coming in a close second, though drink items like Topo Chico Sparkling Water and sodas are popular too. Each morning, bookstore staff help to rearrange and get these snacks and drinks organized and ready for the day. 

The leader of this operation, Head of Bookstore Darcy Taylor, who’s usually seen helping students with their purchases and has been affectionately nicknamed “The Bookstore Lady,” gets in around 6:45 AM and opens up the bookstore about 45 minutes later at 7:30. 

Last year, Upper and Middle School students were allowed to come in and grab snacks in the morning, before starting their day. The policy changed this year, suddenly not allowing Middle Schoolers to come before school. Taylor strongly dislikes the new policy for the pressure it puts on students to make their purchases quickly and move on when they come after school. “I hate it, because in the afternoon we’re trying to rush you guys in and out,” she says. “You don’t get to look at the clothes and the supplies. I just wish they would go back to letting y’all come in the morning.” 

Taylor had no control over the change. “I kind of have to go by Mrs. Hankla, Mr. Dupriest, what they want to do and enforce those rules,” she says. “It was so much better last year.” The policy seemed to come out of nowhere, and now Middle School students trying to visit the bookstore during the daytime can receive a strict warning or even a LOP (loss of privilege). 

The daily rush comes at around 3:10, as Middle School students are released to carpool and sports. Many kids like to head to the bookstore to grab a snack or drink if they have a few minutes before their practice or are going to study hall, causing a huge line that sometimes can snake out the door of the store. When this happens, it’s all-hands-on-deck for the bookstore staff, and Taylor needs all the help she can get to keep the line under control.

Taylor works with Assistant Bookstore Manager Lizette Ortiz-Huang, Spirit Shop Assistant Manager Susannah Weir, and part-time associate Emily Tiedje. During the afternoon rush, you can expect to see Ortiz-Huang and Tiedje behind the counter and Taylor at the door, letting students in one or two at a time. These employees have formed lasting friendships as they work together daily, and are a very tight-knit group. 

Of course, the General Services team, led by Wright, are also in and out of the bookstore all day, bringing new inventory that has been delivered to campus and chatting with the bookstore team. It takes a lot to get the bookstore working smoothly, and these employees know the drill, some having been here at Westminster for more than ten years. Taylor says her favorite part of her job is the day-to-day variety that comes with it. “There’s not a typical day. Some days it’s quiet, sometimes it’s crazy.”  

The bookstore is a place of community, both for delivery workers and members of the store.  “We have a great team and we work together…We do the best we can for you guys, for the faculty and the team and staff.” says Wright.