The 1873 Shop is now open on the University of North Georgia Dahlonega campus.

The shop had its grand opening Sept. 20, with a ceremony led by President Dr. Michael P. Shannon and Lt. Gen. (Ret.) James Terry where they were joined by members of the UNG Corps of Cadets, parents, alumni and members of the community.

The shop serves all students on campus, providing cadets with needs such as uniforms and supplies as well as Corps of Cadet spirit wear and other accessories.

Elisha Blackford, military retail operations manager, says the idea for the 1873 Shop came from the minds of Shannon and Terry. Stemming from Shannon’s “big bets,” the opening of the 1873 Shop is in response to the increasing numbers of the UNG Corps of Cadets program.

“[They] decided this should be a front-facing institution to serve the cadets, alumni, parents and general public,” says Blackford.

The 1873 Shop is a nod to the year that UNG was founded. In addition to items specific to only the Corp of Cadets, the shop also has an array of merchandise that civilian students can purchase and wear around campus.

Blackford says the merchandise was created during a collaboration between the Corps of Cadets, UNG Auxiliary services and other departments on campus. 

“If you are friends with people in the Corps, or you know people in the Corps, you can support them,” says Blackford.