For the first time this year, the student-run store, The Jungle, opened for business.
At the end of last year, the in-house marketing class shut down The Jungle due to budget cuts and not enough students enrolling. However, business teacher Cindy Brown created a club for those who were interested in it.
“I wanted to start the club for the students and faculty to enjoy,” she said. “That way it could be offered.”
Only two students showed up at the first meeting, junior Cari McCabe and sophomore Blake Thorne.
“I didn’t have any expectations as to how many people would show up,” Brown said.
Since The Jungle is now a club and not a class, there are some restrictions.
“We’re only open on Tuesdays and late starts,” Thorne said. “But we’re doing pretty good.”
They offer specialty coffees, cookies, turnovers, cinnamon rolls, smoothies, apple cider and Kool-Aid.
“Our goal is to provide the school with quality service and food,” he said. “Cari makes the smoothies and Kool-Aid while I make coffee, teas, hot chocolate and manage the register.”
The Jungle originally opened because the district wanted the business department to open up a school store. Each school wrote a
plan, presented it and got it approved. “We’ve been successful hitting it during the coffee phase,” Brown
said. The club is funded through the profits that they make. This profit
is used to buy inventory. The profit changes week to week because the number of custom-
ers changes as well. “We’re feeling our way because with no class there are limita-
tions,” Brown said. “If it expands, it does.” In the upcoming weeks, The Jungle will accept applications for
those who are interested in earning community service hours. The Jungle will also be teaming up with Project Playground to sell
wristbands.