Written by: Marian Polanco
Southern Adventist University’s Southern Shoppe is moving back to Fleming Plaza, according to Justin Moore, associate vice president for Financial Administration.
In an email to Accent, Moore explained that after the store’s relocation to the Bietz Center in 2022, administration—influenced by sales patterns, customer feedback and a desire to improve accessibility — recently decided to return the business to the plaza.
“We decided to bring the Southern Shoppe down into the Village Market area to help increase sales and make it more accessible to the community,” he said.
While the Bietz Center offered a central campus location, it did not achieve the same level of foot traffic that the shop enjoyed at Fleming Plaza, Moore explained.
Southern Shoppe’s original location offered “a better mix of customers” due to its proximity to the Village Market, a popular spot for students, employees and residents.
“There is more foot traffic in Fleming Plaza, especially with community members,” Moore stated.
Some students shared their views about the shop’s return to Fleming Plaza with the Accent.
Damian Martinez, junior biomedical laboratory science major, supported the move, saying, “I think it’s a smart decision. A lot of us head down to the Village Market regularly, so it won’t be that much of an issue to go.”
Jamil Perez, junior nursing major, agreed, adding, “The Bietz Center is great, but I think it would make sense to have the Southern Shoppe in the plaza since that’s where other stores are located.”
According to Moore, the Southern Shoppe will remain open at the Bietz Center until December 18.
“We’ll continue operating there through the end of the semester,” he confirmed.
In January, the team will transfer merchandise to the Village Market, where the shop will take up a new spot near the front right of the store.
Regarding the vacated space at the Bietz Center, Moore said, “Right now, we don’t have any immediate plans for that space, but administration will be working on potential uses for the space in the coming months.”
Although some people loved the location in the Bietz Center, the decision ultimately came down to business, according to Moore. He hopes to host a re-opening event at the new location to mark the transition and engage with loyal customers.
Moore expressed optimism that the move will increase Southern Shoppe’s sales and allow Southern to expand its presence in the local community.
“I hope to see increased sales as well as more of our Southern brand expanding into the community,” Moore stated.
He added that the shop’s return will add to the variety of Fleming Plaza’s offerings, providing easy access to Southern merchandise and apparel for students and community residents.
