Saving money is on the minds of many shoppers these days.
Saving money is on the minds of many shoppers these days.
With a ‘why pay more if you don’t have to’ mentality, thrift stores are flourishing and in fashion, attracting bargain hunters around the country and on the move in Chardon.
American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop will open Aug. 27 at its new location at 540 Water St. in Maple Leaf Plaza. Agrand opening is slated for Sept. 6.
“The new location is 400 square feet bigger in retail space,” said Heather Hudson Means, Chardon Discovery Shop manager. “The main reason that we moved was to make it easier for customers to shop, park and donate to our store. Parking in particular has been a big problem that couldn’t be overcome in this current (Cherry Street) location.”
National Thrift Store Day on Aug. 17 encourages people to visit their local thrift shops and celebrate their finds while giving back to charities and helping the environment by recycling.
A thrift shop is a retail establishment most often run by a charitable organization to raise money to be used in accordance with the organization’s stated charitable purpose.
The vast majority or shops in the United States are donation-based and depend on community donations for their success.
According to America’s Research Group, a consumer research firm, “about 16-18 percent of Americans will shop at a thrift store during a given year.”
The Discovery Shops have been around for more than 50 years.
The shops accept donations that include gently-used clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry, furniture, antiques and household items.
Donations are tax-deductible and all proceeds support American Cancer Society.
The Chardon store is celebrating 31 years.
Means became a volunteer in 2011 after her nephew Derek was diagnosed with cancer.
“He was in his early 20s and he and his wife would stay at the Hope Lodge in Cleveland during his treatments,” Means said. “The Hope Lodge offers free lodging for cancer patients and it was incredibly helpful for him to have that resource. I learned that the Discovery Shops help fund the Hope Lodge and that prompted me to volunteer.”
Browsing through the racks and shelves is a weekly outing for sisters Jeanne Hunter and Joyce Ridenour, of Chardon.
“We donate a lot and find great buys,” Hunter said. “We dig around, have fun and then go to lunch.”
Means said her store has an incredible group of volunteers and are the heart of the store and an integral part of its success.
“We also have a very loyal customer base that supports the mission of the ACS,” Means said. “They know that when they donate and or shop at our store, they are directly helping people impacted by cancer, including people here in Chardon and Geauga County.”
Along with the Hope Lodge, there are several direct service programs the store helps fund.
“I believe that people feel a connection to our store because many have been impacted by cancer, either directly or indirectly,” Means said.
They also act as an information outlet for the ACS and field many calls every week from cancer patients or their loved ones needing assistance.
“My brother passed away from cancer and shopping here is a small way I can give to cancer research so that others might become cancer survivors,” Maureen Cox, of Chardon, said. “I donate my best quality items to them since they are a small shop and it seems like others do too.”
Means said average price at the store is $4 and the store has a 50-percent off everything sale at the end of every month that lasts for a week.
“Literally, we put out hundreds of items every day, so there’s always new merchandise on the shelves,” Means said. “We are price competitive and providing great customer service is very important to us.”
The new Maple Leaf Plaza location will have a back drop-off for large donations.
Alicia Ours runs WomenSafe Inc.’s The Resale Shoppe at 12601 Chillicothe Road in Chester Township.
The Resale Shoppe is a retail, resale shop in which 100 percent of proceeds benefit WomenSafe Inc., The Green House shelter facility and all of the programming offered to clients affected by domestic violence.
“We occupy three storefronts which allows us to offer a tremendous amount of clothing and apparel for women, men and children, stylish and unique housewares and artwork, furniture, collectibles, toys and so much more,” Ours said. “We pride ourselves in offering a clean and aesthetically pleasing shopping experience for our customers and merchandise at fair and reasonable prices. There are most certainly bargains to be found at the Resale Shoppe.”
She added, “We do our best to carefully evaluate each item and price it as reasonably as possible relative to retail or other resale prices. We are fortunate to be on the receiving end of donations that include top designer and name brand clothing, purses, and shoes, antiques and collectibles; and high end furnishings and house housewares for super low prices.”
Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 12180 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township sells gently-used furniture, housewares, building materials, tools, plumbing, electrical and more.
All net proceeds benefit Lake-Geauga County Habitat for Humanity to build affordable, decent housing for families in need.
Another thrift store is slated to open in Chardon.
Chardon City Council member Nancy McArthur said Goodwill Industries applied for a permit to occupy space where a sporting goods store used to be in Marc’s Plaza. An early Fall opening is expected.
