SAN LUIS OBISPO – SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – Cal Poly Downtown, the university’s retail establishment in downtown San Luis Obispo, is opening its new location on Saturday, December 3. The retailer will now be located at 767 Higuera, right off Garden Street at the site of the former Crazy Jays clothing store. Cal Poly Downtown carries official Cal Poly-branded apparel, Cal Poly wines by the bottle, Cal Poly specialty food items and assorted gifts for all ages. Cal Poly Downtown was previously based two blocks away at 959 Higuera, where for 23 years it leased the space that eventually grew to 2,600-square-feet. The new location, housed in downtown’s historic Maino Building, gives Cal Poly Downtown an additional 1,300 square feet of retail space. The extra space will allow the store to offer more merchandise and carry more inventory on location. “Our downtown store has always offered a great way for customers to get Cal Poly gear, wine and food products without having to come on campus,” said Lorlie Leetham, executive director of the Cal Poly Corporation and associate vice president of commercial services. “Our new location allows us to provide our customers with a broader product selection in a beautiful, contemporary retail environment. And the inviting setting is sure to boost Cal Poly pride across our local community.” Completely state-of-the-art, the new location features modern fixtures, materials and lighting. A stainless steel slat wall and natural stone columns add to the contemporary, industrial motif. Cal Poly art and décor will round out the space, resulting in an enhanced shopping experience for customers. The new Cal Poly Downtown was designed by Jeff Grant, who has designed several other high-profile retail spaces including the stadium store for the San Jose Sharks and San Francisco Zoo’s gift shop. Cal Poly Downtown is operated by the Cal Poly Corporation, the university’s non-profit auxiliary organization. All profits generated by the store are redirected back to the university. “Our employees take great pride in the store and the fact that the money it makes goes back to Cal Poly,” said Kim Shank, general merchandise manager and buyer for Cal Poly Stores. She also said that the store helps strengthen the university’s connection to the downtown association, promoting a customer-focused approach. “We have a knowledgeable, enthusiastic retail team dedicated to providing the best customer experience possible,” said Shank. The store employs seven students at any given time and the new location may lead to additional hiring opportunities. Cal Poly Downtown is open seven days a week and posts it regular hours on its website.
