WESTLAKE, Ohio–It’s the hottest new biz at Westlake High School.
Demon Depot: the one-stop shop for garb students need most.
“One thing that they were lacking here at high school was a school supply store. They didn’t have one,” said teacher Rachel Kane, who came up with the idea a year ago.
With the help of a grant, Kane’s four special-needs students get a chance to learn the essentials and to have fun too.
“I’m really surprised by how quickly some of the kids have picked up on using the cash register,” Kane said. “I thought that would be really difficult for them. Lots of fine motor, lots of using the numbers.”
The store opened its doors a few weeks ago, and since then, it’s seen up to 10 customers a day.
“We sell lanyards, bracelets, tattoos for Westlake,” said Jenna Reitmeir, one of Kane’s students.
Proceeds from sales are to be used for on-going expenses, classroom outings and technology.
“They work really well with the students,” said Hunter Solecki, a student who volunteers to help those with special needs. “Everyone likes to come down here. They make them smile.”
The hot-ticket item at the store: lanyards. But, Kane hopes to expand school-spirit items.
“It’d be nice to get a couple of t-shirts, maybe sweatshirts or sweatpants, different items like that and a couple more school spirit items,” she said. “I’d love to be able to sell them at sporting events, football games.”
But for now, these young businessmen and women are eager to learn the business of running and business in a place they call home.