The University of Iowa’s Coralville Hawk Shop location has temporarily closed its doors while UI officials negotiate a contract with a company to sell Hawkeye gear, UI spokesman Tom Moore on Tuesday said.

Moore said Hawkeye athletics officials are working with the company Hat World to rename the 1525 Second St. location and that the final transactions are scheduled for July 1. The business will continue to sell Hawkeye apparel following that date.

For now, Moore said Hawkeye apparel remains available at the UI Bookstore and online university sites.

“Obviously, we’d like to see sales of athletics apparel continue to increase, but the main reason we sought this company is because [selling apparel] is not something that is central to the core of university’s main mission,” Moore said. “We felt this was something that the vendor would be able do a good job with in terms of the mission at hand.”

Hat World will also take on the selling operations at concession stands during Hawkeye athletics events, Moore said.

There is not yet an agreed upon a contractual price between UI officials and Hat World, he said.

— by Ariana Witt