we are lucky in that we actually have a great location just for our store. it has cabinets in it for storage and a counter that is all around the room. It use to be used as a computer lab but we were the lucky ones, i truly think that the fact that this is a HUGE part of our PBIS (positive behavior team)helps with that. The support is overwhelming from higher up , otherwise I dont see it happening.
Most of our items are displayed on a couple of long banquet tables outside the lunchroom. We do not do spiritwear (although that would be a good idea for school functions) but small fun items, school necessities such as pens, pencils,sharpeners, erasers, notebooks, paper, assignment pads and things of that nature. There are a lot of little items that kids would love... not particularly us parents (lol) and it is all affordable for the kids who may have some leftover change from lunchtime.
I forgot we use Smilemakers as well.
When we do it, we just set up a folding table with one of each item to be looked at and the price. We don't have a regular space or lots of room. We also try to sell stuff at as many school events as possible.
I also sent home fliers/order forms letting parents know what we have and for how much. I sold most of our school shirts this way.
Good luck.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
How do you display the items? Do you have a cart? We have limited space but are thinking of setting a store up once a week in the school lobby during lunch hour.
We have a school store set up once a month during lunch hours at both our schools k-3 and 4-8. We use Geddes and sometimes Oriental trading or dollar stores. Over the summer when major stores are running "bAck to school" specials, the chairperson may buy some items in bulk when the price is good. Mostly - Geddes.
We don't have a school supply store, but when I was pres I looked into setting up a booth at special events. I really liked U.S. School Supply. They had alot of different items and I thought they were decently priced.
