EvaLyn Carlson said that since the Christmas break-in at Oddz & Endz the community has responded very generously and graciously with gifts and positive comments to the volunteer staff at the nonprofit.
It’s been more than one month since the Christmas break-in at Oddz & Endz, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit resale store operated totally by volunteers whose mission it is to make a difference in the community by offering the sale of used furniture and household goods at affordable prices.
And while the Cook County Sheriff ’s Department has had no luck in catching the perpetrators who stole from the store, the community has come out in force to show their support, said EvaLyn Carlson, a volunteer who helps manage the business.
“We have been pleased at the response from the community,” Carlson said on February 7. “When people learned about the break-in they donated money, they donated high quality furniture and goods. We were able to replace the window that was broken and make the building more secure because of their gifts,” she added.
Arvis Thompson, another key volunteer, said since the break-in, giving is up, “$7,000 to $8,000 over last year at this time. It’s been tremendous.”
The break-in occurred Christmas day or Christmas night.
The thief, or thieves, broke a small window and slithered through it and into the store, finding the cash box, emptying it and walking out the front door.
“They didn’t take anything else. Just the cash, and we don’t keep much cash on hand,” Carlson said at the time.
Last year Oddz & Endz donated $20,000 to more than 19 non-profits in the county.
Located on Highway 61 two miles west of Grand Marais, Oddz & Endz is housed in the former Howling Wolf building. The business accepts donated household goods and furniture, craft items, books and other worn but useful items and sells them at a good price, with the sales of those products redistributed to Cook County nonprofits.
Due to its location, Carlson said, efforts will be made this summer to improve the look of the outside of the building.
“We are either the first thing you see coming into Grand Marais or the last business you see leaving town. We are going to put some effort into improving the outside. But we are going to use repurposed materials. We have a lot of very capable people in this community who can help us make this building look great.”
Oddz & Endz is typically open Mondays and Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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