Secondhand stores help fund first-class services
A young professional stopping to drop off a donation at Upscale Resale might just find herself becoming a shopper as well.
Such a fate befalls many area residents who clean out closets and cabinets to donate items to area thrift stores during the holiday season. Window displays such as Upscale Resale’s—a Ralph Lauren gold-glittered cardigan topping black slacks and Nina shoes—could explain why. More and more Columbians have discovered that area thrift stores are shaking off their stereotypical image as places to cast off old junk. Rather, such shops offer visitors bargain shopping experiences and an opportunity to help their neighbors twice—through donations that provide affordable goods for low-income people and purchases that help fund philanthropic programs.
At least five Columbia charitable organizations recycle gently used and nearly new quality items to fund projects that assist low-income Columbians. And despite a tightening economy, the overall rate of donations has kept pace with—or outpaced—that of the past couple of years.
“Our shop thrives because we live in a community that’s affluent and generous,” said Laurie Digges, president of the Assistance League of Mid-Missouri, which operates Upscale Resale.
Local merchants sometimes assist shops such as Upscale Resale and Show-Me Central Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, a home-improvement shop, by contributing overstock and discontinued merchandise.
“Some really nice stuff” comes from businesses, said Bill View, Show-Me Central Habitat for Humanity’s executive director. He estimates that about 25 percent of the ReStore’s inventory comes from business donations.
The Wardrobe, a secondhand shop on Park Avenue, deals primarily with clothing and small items. Started in late 1969 by five women, the project attracted assistance from area churches, which still provide most of the store’s volunteer staff. In addition to selling donated items to shoppers seeking great deals, The Wardrobe hosts “Free Tuesday” each week for low-income families; clients can choose five outfits every three months at no cost.
Long known for its thrift shops, the Salvation Army operates two stores in Columbia, and Goodwill Industries runs one. All are thriving.
Although none of the local thrift shops’ coordinators can quite pinpoint the circumstances driving the trend, all agree that the number of shoppers has definitely grown this year. Increased traffic and sales translate into more money for services, which, these merchant-coordinators say, is the real bottom line.
“We have seen an incredible increase in clientele,” Digges said. November sales were the largest recorded since the shop opened in 1999. “Many new shoppers realize we have a wonderful inventory—slightly used but affordable.”
The fact that sales have increased but the type of client has remained fairly consistent makes guessing at the cause difficult. “I don’t know if it’s just the word getting out or because the economy is a little tighter. It could be a combination,” Digges said.
Inventory has been smaller at Habitat’s ReStore because of increased sales. View said he believes increased community exposure and tougher economic times have contributed to the business boom. “There hasn’t been a change in clientele because we have had an eclectic group. But people seem to be buying here because they have less spendable income,” he said.
Money raised by the Assistance League, Habitat, The Wardrobe and the Salvation Army is used locally. Columbia Area Goodwill sends its funds to the national agency’s regional office in St. Louis.
The Assistance League’s fund-raising efforts—which include cookie sales through Cookie Connection—support eight ongoing projects that primarily aid women and children. The organization provides enrichment activities in Columbia Public Schools, hygiene kits for homeless and low-income people, survival kits for assault victims, books and activities for preschoolers, information for expectant moms and families, and new school clothing for disadvantaged children.
Each year, ReStore brings in enough money to cover the cost of materials for two Habitat for Humanity-built homes in Columbia. The average cost of a Habitat home, excluding the lot, is $40,000.
The Wardrobe purchases 800 to 1,000 pairs of shoes for distribution to children each fall with the money it earns from sales, said Pauline Marienfeld, the only founder still participating in the organization.
The Salvation Army’s practice has been to place thrift stores in areas convenient to the people it serves. Merchandise is priced to fit tight budgets and to meet clients’ needs, said Cyndy Chapman, regional director of development. Money raised by the enterprise benefits the Harbor House shelter and provides social services, including food and clothing assistance.
Although Goodwill’s funds primarily are used for job training at centers in other areas of the state, store manager Josh Rackers said, the Columbia facility does provide some clients with vouchers to purchase items from the store in emergency situations, such as fire or other losses.