When Berkshire mom, Kristin Wiser, took over the Shire Shack — a free clothing store stocked entirely by donations — and moved it to her pole barn, she never imagined one day she would be running a 2,000-square-foot storefront in Burton.
When Berkshire mom, Kristin Wiser, took over the Shire Shack — a free clothing store stocked entirely by donations — and moved it to her pole barn, she never imagined one day she would be running a 2,000-square-foot storefront in Burton.
“I’m in love with it,” Wiser said, looking around at the rows of racks packed with items. “It’s a dream.”
What started as a small room of clothes initially meant to serve only elementary-aged children attending Berkshire Schools has evolved into a bustling charity that carries clothing in sizes newborn to 5X.
“I volunteered a lot in the schools and learned about the needs. It kinda breaks your heart, but it feels good to know you’re helping,” Wiser said. “Number one is the children in our communities. The parents get to shop as a perk, but the kids, the kids are first.”
Wiser, who worked many years as a retail manager for Dillard’s, loves that the Shire Shack serves a wide variety of situations. Social workers come in to shop for their clients, foster families make use of the store and students sometimes make school trips over to learn retail skills while they volunteer.
The only restriction for shopping at the Shire Shack is that parents are limited to one bag of clothes for themselves per month. Otherwise, the doors are open to whomever would like to shop and donate, Wiser said.
The new storefront, which opened in March, is run by about seven volunteers. Hours vary due to their availability, but “pop up” times — when people can come to shop or donate — are announced on the store’s Facebook page and have been fairly regular. During a recent evening “pop up,” at least 15 families came in, Wiser said.
“As soon as (Wiser) moved here, the involvement quadrupled,” said Lauren Luoma, a friend of Wiser’s and a volunteer at the shop. It was through a connection of Luoma’s that the Shire Shack was able to relocate.
Wiser nearly closed the store after running it from her property for two years. There were safety concerns and operating expenses that were getting harder to meet, she said.
But then Luoma told her about a space opportunity that just might be a good fit — and that it would be free.
“I can’t imagine if she had had to close,” Luoma lamented. “The timing was perfect.”
The Shire Shack, which is now located at 14333 Kinsman Road in Burton, is housed in a space completely funded by Metzenbaum Sheltered Industries, which is a private, nonprofit organization serving individuals with disabilities in Geauga and surrounding counties, according to its website.
“MSI offered space to the Shire Shack because we partner with other organizations to provide opportunities for integrated activities and the Shire Shack has taken in our volunteers, which has been a great match,” said Jim Groner, executive director.
In addition, monetary donations for the Shire Shack can be made through MSI — simply mark it as such. Wiser will accept no cash and asks that all clothing donations be brought to the store only during “pop-up” hours.
In addition to clothing, the Shire Shack could also benefit from more storage and display fixtures, outdoor signage and a website.
“I know how to get all of this space used,” Wiser said. “I just need the money.”
To make a monetary donation to the Shire Shack, visit msigeauga.org/donations/ and to find out when the Shire Shack is open, visit www.facebook.com/burtonshireshack/.
