FEATURED STORY FROM THE Best of BG – 2018 ISSUE
Elite Collegiate Apparel:
Store Has Lots of Falcon Merchandise and a “Home Town” Feel
One of the University’s strengths has always been the strong “home town” atmosphere that welcomes students. And hand-in-hand, local businesses have also worked hard to provide that same welcoming feeling. But Bowling Green lost a little of that in spring 2016 when SBX Bookstore, on the corners of Manville and Wooster, closed its doors forever. Long a favorite spot for books and BGSU apparel, SBX fell victim to declining college textbook sales. But thanks to Kent Kokomoor, a little of that “home feeling” has been restored with his opening of Elite Collegiate Apparel in 2017, located at 1616 E. Wooster St. in the Greenwood Center near I-75.
Kokomoor, as part-owner and long-time manager of SBX was a well-known face of the store, not only to current students, but to alumni he had served over the years. And when SBX closed, it sent shockwaves through his customer base. Kokomoor explains that opening his new store—Elite Collegiate Apparel—hopefully will fill the void created by SBX’s closing.
“We brought back some of the stuff we did at SBX, but it was much more,” he explains. “It’s not so much the product that we brought back, it’s the feel (of the store). People would come back and visit SBX when they would be back for Homecoming. It was like they were coming home. A number of people would just stop in and visit and say ‘hi’.” The new store doesn’t have any books, but Elite Collegiate Apparel has a wide range of gear for students, staff, family members and sports team supporters. The store sells similar items to SBX, including brands such as Nike and Under Armour. Apparel ranges from youth to adult sizing. “It was not so much the product that we brought back, but we wanted the same feel that SBX had as far as a family-type environment and just fun to come in and visit,” he said. “But still offer a ton of different product that maybe they would have a hard time finding in town.”
And it’s not only selection, but price that makes Elite a must-visit store, Kokomoor said. “We try not only to have a selection, but we try to have good price point items,” he said. “It’s not all on the high end. We’ve got $9.99 tees and stuff like that.” Another unique part of Elite Collegiate Apparel is the collaboration the store has with the University. BGSU sports teams gave input to the store for the merchandise offered, and there is a wide range of Falcon teams represented throughout the store. That wide selection of apparel also gives the University athletic department an unexpected boost.
“It’s actually a good recruiting tool,’ he said. “I’ve had a lot of recruits come in with parents and they’re like in awe. I don’t think there is another MAC school that has a store kind of like this, especially right across the street from all three sporting venues.” The store also offers constant deals and discounts to students and community members. Coupons and ads can be found on Elite Collegiate Apparel’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and website. The store also has a subscription list. When an item is purchased, the customer is asked to enter their email for deals, new arrivals and more.
AN ADDITIONAL FEATURED STORY ABOUT ECA CAN BE FOUND IN THE Best of BG – 2015 ISSUE