The Western Connection, a WIU-based shop, now open at Macomb train station

MACOMB, Ill. — The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on Oct. 20 to welcome The Western Connection to the Macomb train station, 120 East Calhoun. 

The shop, organized and maintained by WIU Outreach Programs director Sally Adams, opened Oct. 21 as part of WIU’s homecoming weekend. The Western Connection will be open from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; and 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays.

In a press release, Adams said, “If the WIU flutter flag is on display outside, we’re open.”

Adams came upon the idea for a WIU-based shop in the train station when she saw an out-of-state university’s shop. She started thinking about what Western could do to showcase items that WIU students make, build and grow, along with offering WIU apparel and tickets to university events for sale to visitors coming into town.

“I started talking with city officials to learn more about the spaces available, and I instantly fell in love with the train station,” Adams said. “Our Macomb Convention and Visitors Bureau is in the depot as well, so it doesn’t get any more town and gown than that.”

WIU metal décor items made by engineering technology graduate students, popcorn from the WIU Allison Farm, event tickets and university bookstore swag will be available for purchase. Event tickets will be sold from the former “Barry’s Taxi” window (hours will vary for the ticket window). The Western Connection will be staffed by WIU employees and students.

For more information, visit http://www.wiu.edu/sao/