First and Second Thrift Store volunteer Judy Swanson visits with shopper Kevin Staples at the popular store which offers “new to you” merchandise. The store, which has been in a few different locations, recently moved into a new area of the Cobblestone building in Grand Marais. It is much roomier and shopper-friendly and is there to stay.
First and Second Thrift Store may be the best-kept secret in town. They keep changing their location, as is to confuse their customers. They have a huge sign for their building that they haven’t gotten around to putting up yet. And they only advertise by occasional ads and emails on Boreal. Nevertheless, the store is thriving. That must be because they have good quality merchandise at very reasonable prices.
“The thrift store is a win-win-win organization,” according to Gerry Grant, the manager for the store this winter. “First, we collect good used stuff that might otherwise go in the trash. Once it is sorted, cleaned and priced, we sell it to people who need to, or choose to, be frugal. Finally, the money we make is divided among nonprofit organizations in our community.”
In February, Bev Green, director of the Senior Center, distributed $24,507 raised by the thrift store during July through December 2013. “Our volunteers log the hours they work and name the organizations they want to support. The only requirement is that they choose organizations that are official nonprofits within Cook County. I total up the hours worked for each organization and divide our six-month profits accordingly. This year, we gave out $12 for each hour our volunteers worked. We supported 33 different organizations.”
Lois Johnson, one of several community people who formed the Thrift Store committee under the sponsorship of the Council on Aging, is manager during the summer months. “Since the thrift store was founded, we have raised $246,221 for the community. We have also partnered with other programs, such as ones that provide on-thejob work experience, winter clothing for school children, and opportunities for people with disabilities. Our store has become a destination for our Canadian friends, tourists and summer residents. We have even helped our Canadian customers in Nipigon start a successful store based on our model.”
The Thrift Store opened in 2007 in a space on First Street and Second Avenue, where it got its name. In 2008 it outgrew that space and moved to the Cobblestone Building on Highway 61. It has changed locations twice within the Cobblestone Building, each time getting a larger, brighter space. The current space has a large room in the back. This summer the donation center will be moved there from the senior center garage. Having the donation center and store under one roof will simplify the whole process.
Over 50 volunteers work for the Thrift Store. They are mostly senior citizens from a cross-section of Cook County. Nancy Dalbec supports
Senior Rides, part of the North Shore Health Care Foundation, which gives her rides to her appointments in Duluth.
Dave Palmer says proudly, “Over the years I have given more than $5,000 to the St. John’s Church.”
Judy Swanson says, “With my Thrift Store contribution, I can give more to my charity than I could afford otherwise.”
What all the volunteers have in common is an appreciation of the chance to turn their time into money for their pet charities.
“Sounds like win-winwin win, to me,” said Grant.
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