New Verizon store adds cellular options to Commerce

A Verizon cellular phone and service store opened Nov. 23 to bring its services to the students of Texas A&M University-Commerce and the residents of Commerce Texas.

Located off Live Oak, the new Verizon Wireless store is more than just another franchise. This new store is just the most recent venture of Russell Cellular, Inc.

Started out of the trunk of a car more than 16 years ago, Russell Cellular is a company that has been providing Verizon, DIRECTV, and Dish Network for several years. As of 2009, Russell Cellular has over 125 locations located throughout nine states.

For some time, Russell Cellular had been looking to Commerce as a good market to open up a new Verizon location.

"Our company was looking to expand to a college city," Verizon Assistant Store Manager Andi Warren said. "We looked to come to Commerce for about two years. Mainly because [Verizon] was not represented at all."

Despite having been open since Nov. 23 of last year, many students on campus are still relatively unaware of the new addition to Live Oak.

"I had no idea that was even there," freshman music education major Michelle Elliott said. "Well that is nice I guess.

Much like the AT&T kiosk in the Flying L Mart, the new store provides Verizon users with an increased level of convenience that was nonexistent this time last year. Apart from the Commerce location, the closest Verizon store is located over 20 miles away in Sulphur Springs.

"It's much more convenient than having to go to Greenville or wherever the nearest store is," junior music education major Tiffany Cagle said.