What is Big Blue?
Big Blue is a nonprofit thrift store located on the campus of Marietta College. The store was created and is managed by Alexis Sommers ’25 and Lilly Posti ’25.
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 2023 Semester)
Monday through Friday, 12:00–4:00 p.m.
*Big Blue will be closed during Spring break (March 4–11) and final exams (April 30–May 6).
Cash or credit card only.
Donate
Please send your donations of clothing and small personal items to:
Entrepreneurship Program
Marietta College
215 Fifth Street
Marietta, OH 45750
Click here for monetary donations. Choose "Other" and type "Big Blue"
Stay in touch
Email: bigbluethriftstore@gmail.com
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