Pointer Place celebrates grand opening

Pointer Place is officially open for business! 

Van Buren's new school store celebrated its official grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on November 16. Students, staff, District administrators, and leaders from the community attended the event and received their first-ever look inside the shop and cafe.

Located inside the Commons Area at Van Buren High School, the store is the brainchild of VBHS educators Danielle Ross and Kelly Hays. The two partnered for the venture with the goal of providing their students a unique, hands-on learning experience. “We had a dream to train our students in customer service skills and provide them with ways to gain workforce ready skills and earn industry certifications,” noted Hays.

The project gained momentum after receiving an Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Grant for Food Productions and Human Services. Hays and Ross worked in collaboration with district leaders to construct an on-campus storefront for selling merchandise, food, and beverages. Pointer Place features a wide-range of Pointer-themed apparel and accessories, all designed by students in Ross’s Clothing and Textiles and Consumer Services courses. New products will be added to the store on a routine basis. “Our hope is to add up to two designs per week,” noted Ross. The café serves lattes, mochas, smoothies, snack food, and more. Day-to-day operations will be managed by students through Ross and Hay's Entrepreneur Experience courses.

During the grand opening, Hays and Ross both spoke about how the project came to fruition and about the hard work their students poured into getting the store open. Each also expressed their appreciation to VBSD administration and maintenance for their support of Pointer Place. Superintendent Dr. Harold Jeffcoat and Van Buren Mayor-Elect Joe Hurst also shared about the store and about the positive impact such innovative programs have on the schools and community. The Chamber of Commerce then held an official ribbon cutting before opening the doors to the public. 

Fans of Pointer Place can keep up with the shop and view all of its newest releases by following @PointerPlaceVB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.