According to Angie Maniaci ’99, the University Book Store has everything you need and more. And she should know: as the store’s products buyer, it’s her job to stock it, and she’s been working at the store for 28 years.
“I came here and I just never left,” Maniaci says.
The same could be said of the bookstore itself, which has served the UW–Madison community for the last 132 years. Today, University Book Store staff serves students and campus visitors at three brick and mortar locations across Madison and through their online shop. Last year, the stores welcomed 300,000 customers online and in person, and they offer more than 7,000 items for Badgers to choose from.
From “B is for Bucky” baby onesies to “Wisconsin Grandma” ball caps, the University Book Store has something for every Badger. Here are a few of Maniaci’s must-haves.
What is the most popular item sold at the bookstore?
It’s the squishy! The Bucky Badger Squishy was the most popular last year. I helped design it, and he’s exclusive here.
Is there an item that the store has sold for a long time that continues to be really popular?
Game bibs. Game bibs are the tried-and-true thing that everybody likes during Student Orientation Advising and Registration (SOAR). We get parents buying game bibs for the kids, and for when they want to come back for their football games and other sporting events. The bibs are a re-creation [of] bibs from the ’80s. We were one of the first ones to have the new version, but there’s [an original version of the bibs] that you can see in archived photos that has wider stripes. Also, we can’t forget The Red Shirt™. That is always a super popular thing, because people collect all of them.
For alumni returning to the UW, what’s new at the store?
What’s been really fun is the student involvement that didn’t used to happen. The Wisconsin Design Team is a newer company I’m able to work with [that] has spiced up the selection of things, because they collaborate and it’s created a buzz that I haven’t seen in a while. And a student that I worked with [Grace Edwards ’25] is the artist behind [the brand] Badger Doodles, and she did this art of a badger in different [academic] departments. It’s nice to be able to work with students. All of these students are having these great ideas, and I’m excited to be able to work with them.
What is your recommended essential item for new alumni?
After graduation, a diploma frame is the number one thing that people buy, even before they go and find their T-shirt. And it’s not too late if you have an older diploma that you still want to put on your wall. We carry those all year.
What’s the best way for UW–Madison alumni to represent their school or college?
We have a program with Lands’ End where we sell a lot of departmental things. And we have, on our website, more than we have in the store.
For alumni traveling to visit UW–Madison, what’s the most suitcase-friendly souvenir?
Coasters, because they’re flat and can fit in the luggage. Magnets are super popular. Stickers were popular for a while, but right now it’s magnets. We can’t keep magnets in stock. Or even luggage tags — [alumni] are bringing those back as gifts, or they can use them on their own luggage.
What are some of the best items to purchase during a family weekend on campus?
People frequently buy playing cards. They can grab them and then go to Memorial Union and have beers, sit by the water, and play games. We have crochet kits; you can start doing crafts. We have the card game Spot It!, which is great for little kids. Buying the card game and then walking around town is always something that people like.
What might alumni be surprised to learn is available at the store?
We have a photo booth so you can come and take pictures, and you get a little photo strip, which is pretty fun. We have a shipping center that has discounted shipping for any students. We have people come in and ship back their whole apartment. And we have a custom framer, so if you have a concert poster or some art that you need framed, you can come here. We have a whole showroom with all the frames that you can pick out. And we have a notary — she’s here during the week. The newest thing is we’re an IKEA pickup location, so you can order IKEA and then choose us as your pickup location. And it’s free shipping.
What University Book Store special events should alumni keep an eye out for when visiting Madison?
We have a ton more in-store events than we ever had before. Every Friday before a home game, we have Tailgate Fridays. You can come get free pizza and Bubbl’r. And it’s for the community, so you don’t have to be a student for any of these events. We’re at Badger Bash at Union South on the Saturday of home games, and we have a dog day every semester. You can come and pet dogs to chill out.
What’s an item at the store that alumni shouldn’t leave without?
Looking at the sales history, Cow Pies are at the top of the list. I bet everybody who walks through buys this candy. It’s perfect for [a Badger fan and] the non-Badger fan to show that they came to Madison. And they’re tasty.
