University Book Exchange was established in the 1960's as an off campus bookstore catering to East Carolina University students. Today, at over 25,000 square feet, it is one of the largest privately held bookstores in the country and sells more East Carolina apparel then anywhere else in the world. At the turn of the century U.B.E. started Piratewear.com, an ecommerce website which is now the largest provider of East Carolina merchandise on the web. University Book Exchange still caters exclusively to East Carolina students and fans, and prides itself as a family owned business that still believes in retail customer service.