ATHENS – There is a new shop for all-things Athens State and just in time for the start of the new academic year.

The aptly named Pillar & Paw is open to the community and offers a wide selection of collegiate merchandise and other gifts.

According to a news release, Pillar & Paw is designed to be more than just a place to shop for Athens State gear – it also offers a large selection of gifts and goodies for all ages, making it the perfect destination to stop by to pick something up for special occasions or just for fun.

For students, Pillar & Paw is the pick-up and drop-off location for the new online bookstore, operated by eCampus.com. An online retailer of textbooks and digital course materials, eCampus.com partnered with Athens State this summer.

Through eCampus.com, students can order their textbooks online and ship their orders directly to Pillar & Paw for free in-store pickup.

Pillar & Paw is now open in the old bookstore location on the ground floor of the Sandridge Student Center. Construction will begin soon for the store’s permanent location in the Bear Cave, on the top floor of the student center.

Plans for the new location also include an adjoining coffee shop, appropriately named “heBREW’S” on behalf of Athens State’s mascot, Hebrew the Bear.

The store is open Monday–Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.