Student-run Krimson Kultuur open for business

  Thursday, November 14, 2013 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

After months of planning and preparation, Krimson Kultuur is open for business.

A project of Pittsburg State's Enactus group, the new student-run store that sells products from the 10,000 Villages organization, opened at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, with an official ribbon cutting celebration.  The store is located at 111 W. 4th Street.

Pittsburg State officials, including President Steve Scott, Provost Lynette Olson and Kelce College of Business Dean Paul Grimes, were in attendance at the grand opening. Pittsburg city and chamber officials were also present.

“We are very excited to open our doors to the public,” said Enactus President Sam Bogle. “We think we have a lot of products that people will enjoy, and it will be fun to finally give this thing a go. I am very proud of all of the students for the time and energy they put into making this project happen."

Shelby Brooks, Enactus member and project chairperson, said she’s anxious to see the public’s reaction to the new store.

“We’ve put a lot of work into this, and we have high hopes for the store,” she said.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

In September, Enactus received a Pritchett Trust grant in the amount of $10,850 to help fund the store.

Jeff Wilbert, Pittsburg’s downtown development director, worked closely with Enactus to help the students find a location for their store.

“I really appreciate PSU’s Enactus students wanting to bring their store to the downtown district,” Wilbert said. “I see this as one more opportunity for the university and City of Pittsburg to work together for the betterment of not only the students but the entire community.  They are a very dedicated, hardworking group of students who set out on a mission and work until it is accomplished.”

Founded in 1946, 10,000 Villages sells handmade gifts, jewelry and other pieces of art that were produced by artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Product sales help pay for food, education, health care and housing for artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed.