Only a few years ago, President Alexander Gonzalez said, it was difficult to imagine a new bookstore.

Today, about 300 people gathered for the dedication ceremony for the new campus bookstore located near the Union. The new facility was described by Executive Director of University Enterprises, Inc. Matt Altier as “one of the finest bookstores, not only in the CSU system, but in the entire nation.”

Gonzalez said the store’s proximity to the Union, the future addition of a Subway and the plaza between the two buildings will make the Hornet Bookstore a major focal point on campus.

Tom Christopher, president of Follett, which owns a chain of campus bookstores nationwide, said Sac State’s bookstore is one of 770 bookstores and is its second largest bookstore in the nation.

“We are not in the business of selling books, but serving people,” Christopher said.

John Webre, the architect who designed the bookstore, was in attendance. He also designed other buildings on campus such as Napa Hall and the Academic Information Resource Center.

He said the bookstore was his favorite building he designed for Sacramento State. He envisions the bookstore and plaza as the “town square of Sac State,” he said.

After the ceremony, students had access to free barbecue and caricature artists drew portraits of students at no cost. Also, a concert by rock band Minus Halo provided another opportunity for students to enjoy themselves.

Michael Spitler can be reached at [email protected].