In the heart of the bayou lies an abandoned shop where all of the gators used to purchase apparel to sport in the swamp. As of recently it’s been sitting empty and used as a temporary storage closet, screaming to be revamped and back in its old glory. Michela Judd, a mother of a sophomore student, heard the cries and jumped into action to revive the Swamp Shop. Judd was influenced to take action last year when her daughter started her freshman year. “We had attended Gatorfest where we thought we would be able to buy some apparel to wear to her sports events, but it was just filled tables and random supplies”, said Judd. “I was really disappointed and even more so when I found out it had been shut down a few years back,” she added. After some investing it was found that Covid-19 and the loss of sponsors caused the shop to come to a close. Yet this whole situation left Judd inspired to join the LNS Booster Club, and her main goal being to revamp the shop and bring pride back to the bayou by the beginning of her daughter’s sophomore year.
The booster club did just that, by accomplishing their fundraising goal and finding new sponsors they were able to have apparel ready for purchase at the beginning of this year. When asked why she thinks it’s so important for students and families to sport their school in their everyday style she said, “It shows a sense of pride, belonging, and support of the school and your community.” Whether it’s as casual as a symbol on your sweatpants or as a major has a gator hat, it always brings energy to the school and makes you feel like you’re truly part of a proud community. We were interested to see how this has been doing since its relaunch and Judd has informed us of its amazing success. “We have started to make a profit which goes right back to athletics which has been amazing to see,” Judd said. “We’ve gotten a lot of wonderful feedback about it being open and offering great new gear,” she added. She was also asked what changes and updates have been made and she explained that she wasn’t for sure how much it has changed but their main focus is, “to keep cost low and bringing in new designs more often.” Keeping it accessible to all is their main goal with the reopening.
Finally, the Gator Galaxy asked what one can expect to see next coming from the new shop and she hinted at an online store and fun new designs. We can’t wait to see what comes next from the Swamp Shop and will be forever grateful for the work Ms. Judd and the booster club has done to bring pride and spirit back to the North Star community.
