University Book Store

My visit here was to get some update U-​Dub gear to wear to the game and I was pleasantly surprised with the selection the bookstore had and super greatful I wouldn’t have to driver to Seattle to get something I liked.
Yay for U-​Dub Tacoma:)

Went yesterday to pick up my new Moleskine calendar and had terrible service. I spoke to someone on the phone before I went in, they were very polite and helpful. The two women that checked me out were rude and acted put out when I wanted to use my Reader’s Club card.
The children’s section here continues to be lackluster. Such a disappointment when the main store’s children’s department is so excellent. Tacoma could really use a great — or decent, even! — children’s book shop.
Why am I driving all the way to Seattle to visit U Book Store when there’s one just five minutes away??? See above.

I went here for Art supplies, thinking they might have as much as the Seattle store’s selection. Compared to the Seattle store, its art section is mini, pretty meager. BUT it’s substantial for general needs. They have some decent paper pads and pencils.
There’s a starbucks attached to the store, and overall the space is pretty big. It’s nice to browse if you happen to walk by.

The University Book Store at UWT has a lot of things going for it. For its size, it has a good selection of new books. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg; whatever they don’t have at this store, you can have them send over from any of the other University Book Store locations. There are also some used books mixed in, not to mention textbooks for UWT classes, art supplies, office supplies, UW merchandise, etc. It’s kind of like a smaller version of the flagship store in Seattle’s U District.
So why only three stars? I’ll give them more when they get some more courteous staff. Certainly not everyone who works here is a grouch – and some of them are actually really cool – but this is a case of a few bad apples spoiling the bunch. If you go in here a lot, you know who I’m talking about: the gals behind the counter who never smile, and answer a «hello» with a blank stare. It’s hard to be a fan (even when you want to be) when 75% of your staff encounters leave you feeling like you just dealt with an automaton rather than actual person.