We are very excited to have our Online Store up and running. Many of you have been asking over the last 4-5 years about why we didn't have an online store or a catalog. Once we created the new website, with a built in platform for the online store, we were able to take baby steps and keep pushing the idea of the online version of the ship store. So for those of you that have been asking, 'this is for YOU, baby!' You can find the online store here:
http://www.ssjohnwbrown.org/online-store/
This is the heart of the online store. Judy is one of our experts on packing & shipping. She handles most letters and requests that come in from our supporters.
Pulling together the online store is a perfect example of the team work that is the crew of the JWB. There are so many different things that are part of any store and and we're lucky to have talented people with expertise to share. Setting something like this up, is a part-time to full time job for many large companies, but since we're all volunteers with full time jobs in many cases, it's taken a bit of time and teamwork.
We are starting with a limited number of the items we have. We really wanted to have the store live and working through all the steps with fewer items was faster. Now that the store is running we will be adding inventory on a regular basis. One of the first things we'll add is the 2016 calendar! It's being printed as we write and as soon as we have copies in hand we'll list it for sale. We also have back copies; though you may not use them for the dates, they are still full of interesting information and fantastic photographs. We've already gotten some orders, and we are learning new things and setting up procedures for packing and sending orders. This is a great, fun learning experience.
The Ship's Store is open during our Living History Cruises and is opened whenever we have company on board. The ship is a busy place and you can read about the different groups that use it in our other blogs.
Since we are only open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, we want everyone to know that it could take a week or so, or it might take longer (like if we sell out of sizes and need to order more), so allow for 4-6 weeks for delivery. Also consider the fact that with winter coming, snowy days mean times when there might only be a handful of crew making it to the ship. We have over 30 regular weekly crew that drive to Baltimore from Pa, De and Va, so bad roads on top of a 90+minute drive to the ship = low numbers of crew members some weeks. Please enjoy this new addition to our organization, and let us know of other ways we can help get merchandise you want. Eventually, we will have more JWB merchandise and more merchant marine inventory online, including books, artwork and clothing (sweatshirts and collared shirts). Send us an email if there is something you are looking for specifically. Our first 25 orders will receive a free deck of JOHN W BROWN playing cards. Be excited with us!!
Project Liberty Ship, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit, all volunteer organization engaged in the preservation and operation of the historic ship JOHN W. BROWN as a living memorial museum. Gifts to Project Liberty Ship are tax deductible.
