What is Big Blue?
Big Blue is a nonprofit thrift store located on the campus of Marietta College. Originally launched as an entrepreneurship class project by Alexis Sommers ’25 and Lilly Posti ’25, the store continues to thrive as a student-led initiative. Students interested in managing Big Blue can apply through a competitive process to participate in the Big Blue Practicum, gaining hands-on experience in business management and operations. Interested students should look for a campus announcement during the second half of each semester for application details.
Spring 2025 Management Team
Leadership
- Amanda McGrew
Class of 2026 | Entrepreneurship Major
Role: General Manager - Elise Hums
Class of 2028 | Marketing Major
Role: Assistant Manager
Marketing Team
- Jazlyn Ingold
Class of 2026 | Graphic Design Major
Role: Marketing Manager - Forrest Havanis
Class of 2025 | Marketing Major
Role: Assistant Marketing Manager
Merchandising Team
- Sydney Wright
Class of 2025 | Entrepreneurship Major
Role: Merchandising Manager - Teagan Klaner
Class of 2028 | Entrepreneurship Major
Role: Assistant Merchandising Manager
Online Sales
- James Cipollone
Class of 2026 | Entrepreneurship Major
Role: Online Sales Manager
Finance
- Marco Bryant
Class of 2027 | Computer Science Major
Role: Bookkeeper
Mission
The mission of Big Blue is to offer an affordable shopping option while minimizing clutter and waste and providing an opportunity for Marietta College students to gain practical business-related experience.
Location
229 Sixth Street
Marietta, OH 45750
Hours of Operation (Spring 2025 Semester)
Monday–Friday: 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Free Fridays: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Cash or credit card only.
Donate
Please send your donations of adult and children's clothing, along with small personal items, to:
Entrepreneurship Program
Marietta College
215 Fifth Street
Marietta, OH 45750
We do not accept the following items: Ripped or Stained Clothing, Undergarments, Bathing Suits, or Socks.
Click here for monetary donations. Choose "Other" and type "Big Blue."
Stay in touch
Email: entr@marietta.edu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mc_bigblue/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mcbigblue/
The Story of Big Blue
Big Blue began as a class project. In their Fall 2021 Entrepreneurial Mindset class, first-year students Lilly Posti and Alexis Sommers pitched the idea of establishing a thrift store on Marietta College's campus.
March 3, 2022
Alexis and Lilly claim the first-place award in Round One of the PioBiz Competition.
April 6, 2022
Big Blue hosts its first pop-up thrifting event.
Summer 2022
Nonprofit status is obtained, and the location is chosen.
Early Fall 2022
Preparations for opening day.
September 22, 2022
Big Blue Thrift Store opens.
October 15, 2022
Brainstorming at PioPitch.
November 29, 2022
Big Blue places 5th in Round Two of PioBiz.
January 15, 2023
The store receives a facelift thanks to volunteers during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
Spring 2023
Student volunteers helped with various aspects of the business
April 14, 2023
Big Blue collaborated with Marietta Mindset by sponsoring an event on Feel Good Friday that made it possible for other student-run small businesses such as Note Worthy Designs, Kayla Rae Co, and Strings Against Stigma to sell their products on campus.
April 14, 2023
Big Blue collaborated with Marietta Mindset by sponsoring an event on Feel Good Friday during which students made their own flavored coffee and bouquets of flowers. Students also shared their state of mental well-being anonymously and suggested solutions to mental health problems
Fall 2023
The first group of the Big Blue Practicum students managed the store. From left to right: Gabe Lamb (Assistant Manager), Keshaun Madlock (Bookkeeper), Professor Laura Pytlik (Faculty Supervisor), Alexis Sommers (Manager), Faith Malone (Grants & Gifts Officer), Taahir Sabree (Print & Social Media Specialist), Kelsey Bowman (Merchandising Manager), Haruka Kimura (Merchandiser), Nagisa Harada (Marketing Strategist). Not pictured: Katherine King (Inventory manager
Fall 2023
The “Free Fridays” Program started, offering a portion of merchandise to the community free of charge on Friday afternoons.
October 11th, 2023
Alexis Sommers and Lilly Posti showcased Big Blue's recent achievements and future aspirations at the Appalachian Social Enterprise Summit in Athens, Ohio. Their presentation at the competition earned Big Blue Thrift Store the Runner-Up position.
September 2024
Big Blue celebrated its 2nd birthday. The birthday cake and cookies were created by Loreena Williams ’27, the talented assistant manager of the store.
October 2024
Jazlyn Ingold ’26, used her Fall Break to bring the walls of the Big Blue Thrift Store to life with this incredible mural.
