Student-run apparel shop opens at Crook County High School

CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Crook County High School celebrated the opening of a new student-run apparel shop Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The shop, named the Cowboy Corral, was designed and built by students over the last six months and will be fully managed by the school's business programs.

The project was funded through a grant from Meta. The initiative combined the efforts of the school's construction and business programs to create a functional retail space that generated more than $1,500 in sales during its first 24 hours of operation.

Construction students spent six months renovating an existing space within the high school to create the retail storefront. Under the guidance of instructor Ron Berg, the students handled all aspects of the build, including framing, finishing, design details, and the store layout. School officials said the process allowed the construction program to apply classroom skills to a real-world project.

With the build complete, the shop is now transitioning to the school's Business and Marketing program. Students in that program will manage the Cowboy Corral alongside the high school's existing coffee shop. The student-run business model is intended to provide experience in retail management, customer service, financial tracking, and marketing strategy.

"Our students are incredibly excited," said Kim Crofcheck, the Business and Marketing teacher. "They're seeing firsthand how the concepts they learn in class translate into a real business. The response from the school community has been amazing, people are always asking where they can buy CC gear and now we can say right here at CCHS."

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator Ryan Cochran said the collaboration between the different programs is a hallmark of the school's vocational goals. He noted that the project helps prepare students for high-demand careers.

"This project is a great example of what Career and Technical Education can look like," Cochran said. "Students in multiple programs worked together to create something really meaningful — construction students built it and business students will operate it. These kinds of experiences prepare students for high-demand, high-wage careers while they're still in high school."

School leaders said the curriculum focuses on developing practical skills including leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving through the management of the store.

As the Cowboy Corral begins regular operating hours, students will continue to manage the daily business operations and inventory. School officials said students are looking to grow the business and expand the learning opportunities associated with the retail space.