When it is time to buy Rattler paraphernalia, co-owners Brandon and Michelle Ross said the only place one needs to go is the new store, Strike. Strike caters specifically to Florida A&M University.
“Besides the FAMU bookstore, we are the only licensed collegiate off-campus store that sells exclusively for FAMU,” Brandon Ross said. “In the past there have been FAMU-based stores, but they had to close. We are here for the long-run.”
Opened in mid-July, Michelle Ross said Strike has received nothing but support and positive comments from the community members.
“We have been told that we are the ‘Bill’s Bookstore’ for the FAMU community,” Michelle Ross said. “People have come in and said how happy they are to finally have something for FAMU.”
Located at 2033 South Adams St., Strike is there for all of FAMU’s needs.
“Anything we see or feel FAMU supporters need, we want to have,” Michelle Ross said. “If it is FAMU, we want to sell it. As far as ‘everything’ FAMU, that will be an on-going thing.”
Michelle graduated from FAMU with a master’s degree in social work and Brandon graduated from Howard with a master’s degree in business administration.
“Both of us went to FSU first and saw the difference in representation of the two schools around town,” Michelle said. “We saw that we could fill that void for the FAMU community to have that.”
Selling an assortment of products such as game day items, fraternity and sorority items, and religious t-shirts.
The couple said the store also plans on selling used textbooks, E-books, student notes and wants to participate in textbook buy back.
“In addition to selling FAMU paraphernalia, we plan on selling textbooks to students in the spring semester,” Brandon Ross said. “We saw the prices and hours of the FAMU bookstore and wanted to give FAMU students another outlet of getting the things they need for class in addition to paraphernalia.”
Although books will not be available in store until the end of this semester or beginning of the spring semester, Michelle Ross said that they have the ability to order books now.
Brandon and Michelle Ross also want to employ FAMU students as another way to support the school.
“When we start to sell textbooks and notes for students’ classes, we know we will need more help, and we defiantly want to hire students,” said Michelle Ross.
Michelle and Brandon Ross said they are happy to provide a place where members of the FAMU community can buy everything FAMU year-round, and not just when vendors come for games or events.
“Strike gives FAMU students the opportunity to have more access to FAMU paraphernalia, ” said La Candice Johnson, 22, a fifth-year allied health science student from Dallas. “Having this store also helps to shed light on FAMU. It’s showing that FAMU is part of the Tallahassee community too.
Strike is closed on Sunday-Monday, but is open on Tuesday 1p.m. – 6p.m., Wednesday 1p.m. – 7p.m., Thursday 1p.m. – 8p.m., Friday 12p.m.-8p.m. and Saturday 10a.m.-8p.m, except on game days when the store opens at 8a.m.
“These are the summer hours, the store hours will change once we get a better knowledge of the community’s needs,” Michelle Ross said.
If anyone wants to access the store after-hours, or does not live in the area, Brandon Ross said the Web site will be up shortly.
“We want people to be able to have complete access to Strike,” Brandon Ross said.
Michelle Ross said that, although Strike does not have all of its items in the store at the moment, they can meet their customers’ needs.
“We have the ability to custom-make shirts for groups, clubs, sororities, fraternities, and anyone who has the need for is.”
For more information, call (850) 841-7719 or visit http://strike-fan.com.