photo l-r : Joe Skaggs, Vice President, Marketing, Follett of Canada, Honourable Erin Selby, Minister of Advanced Education, Dan Vandal, Councillor, City of Winnipeg, Lloyd Axworthy, President & Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg, Leo LedohowskiPresident & Chair, Canad Inns
WINNIPEG, MB –The University of Winnipeg had its official grand opening today for the AnX (formerly the Greyhound Bus Depot, 471 Portage Ave.). Creating additional buzz on campus at the western gateway to Winnipeg’s downtown, the AnX is home to UWinnipeg’s English Language Program, Canad Inns’Garbonzo’s Pizza Pub and coffee favourite Starbucks, as well as the UWinnipeg’s Bookstore (operated by Follett Canada).
“The UWinnipeg’s AnX brings together a number of partners in a downtown education transportation, and food services hub, and enhances our efforts to transform our University into a meeting place for students and the wider community,” said Dr. Lloyd Axworthy UWinnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor. “We welcome our business partners Follett Canada and Canad Inns who have joined us in our mission to create an accessible community meeting place, that enhances the student educational experience and contributes to the ongoing revitalization of our city’s downtown.”
The UWinnipeg Bookstore, operated by Follett of Canada, was the first to open in the AnX in August of 2011. The Bookstore – the largest in Winnipeg’s downtown – now has nearly triple the floor space of the University’s previous bookstore. It accommodates an expanded store layout and assortment, including larger selections of textbooks, magazines, trade books, supplies and Winnipeg apparel and gifts. The Bookstore has established an ongoing partnership with the Manitoba Publisher’s Association to identify and supply the best local and noteworthy titles that reflect the individual interests of the Winnipeg community.
“One of our core missions as the University of Winnipeg’s campus bookstore is to maximize access to a wide array of products and services, enhancing the shopping experience for the entire campus community,” said Thomas A. Christopher, President of Follett of Canada. “With moving to our new location, we now have the opportunity to engage and meet the needs of the greater Winnipeg community as well.”
The UWinnipeg Bookstore welcomes everyone from the campus and Winnipeg community to join in their in-store grand opening event in conjunction with the AnX grand opening ceremony. From 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., attendees are welcome to visit the bookstore for refreshments, prizes and a 20 percent discount off all red apparel or gifts.
Garbonzo’s Pizza Pub and Starbuckshad a soft opening in January and has already become a favourite meeting place on campus for the students, staff, faculty and the downtown community. Garbonzo’s Pizza Pub is where Italian meets English pub for pizza and a pint!
“We are excited to be part of the UWinnipeg campus,” said Leo Ledohowski, President & Chair of Canad Inns. “The university campus is a growing and exciting gathering place in Winnipeg’s revitalized downtown and Canad Inns is pleased to be part of this vibrant destination.”
Access into the AnX, is available directly from Portage Avenue and Balmoral and Colony streets. Winnipeg Transit’s Balmoral Station is located on the west side of the AnX. The Balmoral Station currently provides access to eight major transit routes and will become one of the main downtown hubs for the City’s Rapid Transit System, which begins operating this spring.
About Follett of Canada
Follett of Canada ( http://www.follettofcanada.ca/ ) (FOC) is the leading operator of college and university bookstores in Canada, serving 28 schools with 37 campus bookstores across six provinces. In addition to a guaranteed income to the institution, FOC services include complete store renovations, robust hiring, training and development programs and access to state-of-the-art retail technologies including the continent’s most visited collegiate retail website, efollett.com. Follett of Canada is a subsidiary of the Follett Corporation.
About Canad Inns
Canad Inns are destination centres that feature the finest in accommodations, food and beverage, entertainment, banquet and conference centres and so much more. Canad Inns is a leader in the hospitality industry with over 3200 employees in their destination centres in Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Brandon and Grand Forks, North Dakota. Canad Inns also owns and operates the Radisson Winnipeg Downtown. Canad Inns is a Platinum Club member of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies, one of Manitoba’s Top 25 Employers and one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.
