MPorium’s Homecoming: Better Together

Students playing checkers at the grand opening of the Mporium on Sept. 23. Photo by Ava Battinelli '26

In a world that is undisputedly divided, Marist University’s Mporium strived to capture the true meaning of community within the theme Homecoming: Better Together. 

The new theme for the student-run boutique retail store is centered on celebrating the smaller moments and uniting the Marist community, with an emphasis on collaborating outside of the fashion department. 

“Our goal was to romanticize the simple moments that make the Marist experience feel like home: grabbing coffee with friends, hanging out on the green between classes, watching football games, going apple picking or cozy movie nights,” said Gabrielle Lloyd ‘26, a member of the visual merchandising team. “These are the memories that tie us to this campus and to one another, no matter our major or background.”

This year, Mporium became more than just a place to buy Marist merch, jewelry and other products; they became a hub for students to socialize. A table with a checkers board sits in the corner, inviting students to play, and through a collaboration with Marist Film, a projector utilizes the brick wall to play fall-favorite TV shows such as The Snoopy Show, Friends and Gilmore Girls.

“We wanted to create a space where everyone could come together; It's much more of an experience this year,” said Sofia Gaffney ‘26, a member of the marketing team. 

For the first time, as an effort to unite with more of the Marist community, Mporium collaborated with the Steel Plant cafe to form Better Brewgether, a maple sugar cinnamon latte that will be sold at the cafe until the end of October.

“We were inspired by the coffee within our theme this year. Coffee just brings people together, so we thought it would tie in with a theme nicely,” said Liza Hieter ‘26, a member of the event planning team. 

Before the boutique's grand opening, the entire class collaboratively worked to transform MPorium over just one weekend. 

“We created the Fox Memory Wall, where every team member shared their favorite core memory from Marist, and created leaves featuring articles from the Marist Circle to connect with other parts of campus and spark conversation with students outside of the fashion program,” said Lloyd.

A student shopping at the Mporium on opening day. Photo by Ava Battinelli '26

Mporium is one of Marist’s largest efforts in experiential learning. The application-based class, FASH 315 – Retail Entrepreneurship, invites students to apply based on which sector they’re interested in and what experience they want to gain from the class. Then, Chair of the Fashion Department and Senior Professional Lecturer in Fashion Merchandising, Rebecca Brown, arranges the teams. Still, despite what team students are placed on, they are encouraged to collaborate among teams.

“I think that’s my favorite thing. I made a sweatshirt last semester, even though I'm on the marketing team,” said Gaffney. 

Last semester’s sales marked a new feat; with a 72% increase in in-store sales and a 196% increase in online sales, Brown noted that they “always look to beat last year.”

“They have big numbers to put up, but that's going to require new, fun and interesting products, experiences and events,” the professor said. “So fingers crossed, we get there.”

As the semester progresses, Mporium plans to collaborate with athletics and various clubs and organizations at Marist. 

“This theme is about community, memory-making, and celebrating what makes Marist

Unique,” said Lloyd. “We want Mporium to be the campus 'home landing,’ a place where, even in a chaotic world, students can slow down, connect and be reminded why being at Marist feels so special.”