Students at South Warren High School will have more opportunities to hone their marketing and retail skills through the donation Tuesday of a $13,000 mobile store by Houchens Industries.

“Any time that you can provide an opportunity where students can get a hands-on experience, it enhances the learning that is already taking place in the classroom,” Principal Jenny Hester said in an interview.

The store was unveiled in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday and features a U-shaped counter with a display case and cash register. Free-standing shelves for displaying merchandise are situated in the back, and the entire store is on wheels.

Along with donating the store, Hester said Houchens Industries will also help students in the school’s advanced marketing class open the store next semester. Students will be in charge of every aspect of its operation and sell school supplies, school merchandise and student-designed clothing, a news release said.

One benefit for students is that the store uses the same point-of-sale system used at local Crossroads IGA stores, Hester said.

Houchens Industries President Spencer Coates said in a news release that the company is excited about the educational opportunities in store for students.

“We are excited to help the students learn more about what we do here at Houchens, and we look forward to meeting these students again as they complete their academic careers and enter the professional world,” he said. “Houchens is deeply rooted in south central Kentucky, and we appreciate the opportunity to share our knowledge and resources with our students.”

Hester also said the store presents educational opportunities for more than just marketing students. Fashion and design students will be able to create clothing to display in the store, and Hester said the school also wants to involve web design students in creating an online store.

Currently the store is in the school’s cafeteria, but Hester said it could be rolled out for sporting events to capitalize on people visiting the school.

The store will be the center of several career pathways at the school that seek to give students skills and experiences in marketing, retailing and business administration, the release said. It’s part of the broader SCK Launch initiative, which brings local industries and educators together to create an employment pipeline for local in-demand jobs. It stands for south central Kentucky learning about unique and new careers here.

Ron Bunch, president and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, said in a news release the donation sets an example.

“I would like to thank Houchens Industries for their commitment to helping shape the future workforce for theirs and other businesses across the region,” he said. “This collaboration is a shining example of what the SCK LAUNCH initiative was intended to do – align the education and business communities to create a world class talent pool to fuel our economy well into the future.”