Singed Memories

When all the books have been sold out at the Southern University and Reflections bookstores or when students need something nutritious to start their mornings off right, there was only one convenience store near campus that students said provided everything a student needed or desired.
But due to a destructive fire, the well-known Southern Books will no longer provide services that cater to the needs of Southern University students.
On Friday, Nov. 17, the popular outlet permanently closed its doors after a fire, which officials are saying originated near a Coca-Cola vending machine inside the store, spread throughout the entire store.
According to Robert Combs, public information officer for the Baton Rouge Fire Department, the incident is still under investigation.
“We do not have a definite answer as to why the fire started or if the fire began with one of the wires inside the Coca-Cola machine,” Combs said.
There were no witness on the scene to comment on incident however when Baton Rouge Fire Department received a call approximately around 3:15 p.m., Combs said it was nothing for firefighters to bring the blaze under control.
“We arrived on the scene four minutes after we received the call from Baton Rouge Police Department, and the fire was brought under control within 20 minutes,” Combs said.
Combs said no civilians or firefighters sustained injuries from the incident.
All that remains now of Southern Books is the singed skeleton of a place many SU students said they will miss dearly.
“I feel sad because students that could not afford to purchase books from the campus bookstore had the opportunity of getting the books needed at this store for less than what they were paying at SU bookstore,” said Chaniel Smiley, a sophomore criminal justice major from Los Angles.
Purchasing discounted textbooks isn’t the only reason students said they will miss Southern Books. Students also acknowledge the store was much more than a textbook shop.
“I remember when I first came to this school in 2003,” said Jimmy Mitchell, a junior therapeutic recreation major from Plaquemine. “He use to sell bologna sandwiches along with college books. I will admit they were good.”
Southern Books owner, Librance Wade, couldn’t be reached at press time to comment on whether or not the store would be rebuilt to service the university’s student body, faculty and staff.
“Now that the bookstore is burned down, looks like everyone has to go to textbook rentals or SU bookstore,” Mitchell said.