The Shop: Conserving the spirit of AUC 

Photo Taken By: Omar Abozeid

The Shop, AUC’s new official store, spreads the spirit of the AUC community by offering AUC merchandise, ranging from hoodies, silver charms, and tote bags to coffee mugs, games and stationery. 

The  Shop opened on February 15 and is located next to the copy center.

Nancy Bahig, one of the store’s organizers and senior director for public affairs, said the store entrenches the spirit and loyalty of students and the entirety of the AUC community. 

“Individuals feel a sense of belonging if they have AUC merchandise such as hoodies, especially if it is a nice design,” Bahig told The Caravan. 

She went on to explain how students should be excited about certain special exhibits on display at The Shop, like the chess table that was made in-house by AUC carpenters with pieces designed after AUC’s buildings. 

There is also a new collection made in collaboration with Egyptian Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) using recycled material. One example of their products offered at the store is a tote bag made entirely from recycled coffee pots. This particular item was an instant bestseller, according to Bahig. 

As the cutting of the ribbon neared, students began to gather, and tens of students entered the store to discover the products and services. Traffic peaked during assembly hour, with a constant flow of people coming and going until 4 pm when The Shop closed.  

A number of students attended the grand opening and reported an enjoyable shopping experience. Elmya Tharwat, an Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) junior and a Student Union (SU) General Manager, explained to The Caravan that the SU collaborated with the Community Engagement office to organize games for the opening. 

“There are [a few] games [and activities] like chess competitions and trivia questions – and whoever wins the competition, gets to spin the wheel for a prize,” Tharwat explained. 

AUC students who visited the shop’s opening said that the store offers a sense of belonging and familiarity, especially those who are getting ready to bid farewell to their campus

For Rimona Tawil, an AUC Biology senior, products that caught her attention were ones that will evoke memories of AUC after she graduates.  

“I like the alumni hoodie; I am going to be a graduating senior, so I am thinking of getting it,” Tawil said.