This year, Eastlake’s Student Store, The Den, is being run by students! As part of the Retail Operations class taught by Mrs. Schwartz, students participate in a real-life simulation of not only running a retail store, but also working with customers and even planning future lines of products.

Current students, Justin and Visruth noted the class’s hands on nature. They stated that their responsibilities range from “ordering merch, displaying it, talking/ helping customers, and taking payment.”

But as it’s only the first year the store is run by students, there are plenty of problems to be faced. As highlighted by Justin, Visruth, and Mrs. Schwartz, the main issues mainly derive from technology. Whether that be the computers that run the store not working, or the credit card readers being broken, Mrs. Schwartz notes that running the store is “constant problem solving.” But facing those problems and learning to overcome them is one of the many real-world skills taught in Retail Operations.

Since retail operations is a fourth period class, it is only open on certain days at certain times. So, remember, Mondays and Fridays during both lunches, and Wednesday after school.