The school store, the Turning Point, which never opened this year, is expected to reopen in January under the direction of Business and Marketing teacher Jacqueline Dunlap.

Marketing teacher Sylvia Bailey went on an unexpected medical leave after the first day of school, so the student-run store has remained closed for first semester until a certified marketing teacher could take over, said Dunlap.

“I feel it was unfair when she left,” said senior Ahsha Davis who was supposed to be the store manager this year. “Some students in the Store Operations course only had a semester to get the opportunity to run the store, and now our time is almost up. Now we’re just trying to get everything put together and organized,” Davis said.

Over the past few weeks, Dunlap, the only other certified marketing teacher at Southfield High, has taken the call and has begun training the store operators to help re-open the Turning Point. “Our main goal is to get the store up and running,” said Dunlap.

“I’m looking forward to the opening of the store and getting that experience,” said senior Store Operator Ashley Hall.

Both Dunlap and the marketing students aim to bring energy and life to a now dead hallway that was once a hub of commerce where students bought school apparel, freshly baked cookies and Blue Jay-themed gifts. “The opening will brighten the hallway and bring with it a lot of anticipation and commotion,” said senior Store Operator Christine Agustin.

Store Operations classes are in the process of brainstorming new ways to attract more customers and to make up for losses and cuts within the store. “We’re exploring new merchandise ideas (and) trying to showcase student -designed apparel,” Dunlap said.

Former school store adviser Sylvia Bailey did not return phone calls.