Sweet Repeats Thrift Shoppe Opens June 1st

Category » Pioneer Center NewsTuesday, May 25, 2010

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On June 1, 2010 Sweet Repeats Thrift Shoppe will officially be open for business. Sweet Repeats Thrift Shoppe is located in Huntley on Rte 47 and Algonquin Road – formerly Nick’s furniture store at 10514 Rte 47 in Huntley which offers 9,288 sq. foot of floor space and storage. The idea for the thrift shop came about back in November 2009 by a group who wanted to start a thrift store to benefit a non-profit organization. Colleen Hale, Sweet Repeats Thrift Store Supervisor approached Susan Ayers-Krause, Youth Service Bureau Executive Director to see if there was an interested in partnering with the group. Ayers-Krause was very interested in their idea, but also realized Youth Service Bureau did not have the infrastructure to support the project. During the initial discussion Executive Director, Ayers-Krause inquired if they would be interested in including Pioneer Center for Human Services into this new business venture and Ms. Hale was very agreeable. Together Kopczynski, President and Chief Executive Officer for Pioneer Center for Human Services and Ayer-Krause meet with a group of 25 volunteers to explore detailed information of starting the store. After a presentation Ayers-Krause stated “I was so enthusiastic and excited about their plans for the Thrift Shoppe and I knew they had the dedication and knowledge to set-up and manage the store”. “With the diminished funding at the State level we feel this will give us a more consistent and sustainable revenue stream. We are always advocating and looking for new and innovative business ventures that will increase our revenue streams - that will not only help Pioneer grow but bring opportunities to our clients and staff” stated Lorraine Kopczynski, President and Chief Executive Officer. Through this process I have learned there is a difference between a Resale Store and a Thrift Store – resale proceeds benefit the merchant and thrift benefits a charity or charities. This store will be a “Thrift Shoppe” (Store). Once the store becomes established we would like to offer vocational training opportunities to our clients as well as being able to assist with providing furnishings for those moving out into the community All proceeds to benefit programs and services under the Pioneer Center for Human Services umbrella. Pioneer Center for Human Services provides services to persons with developmental disabilities, mental illness, traumatic brain injury, early intervention therapies for children aged birth to age five, children, adolescent and family services through Youth Service Bureau, victims of sexual assault through VOICE program, people who are homeless through McHenry County Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS), Children with Autism through the Children’s Center for Autism. By donating or purchasing through Sweet Repeats Thrift Shoppe not only is your donation tax-deductible but you have the comfort of knowing your purchase or donated item will be helping a wide range of individuals in need. John Novak, Retail Store Manager for Sweet Repeats adds, “We will pride ourselves in offering quality, affordable merchandise that will be displayed in an attractive manner. “This thrift shoppe will be a step above all other resale and thrift shoppes it will be more like a department store with affordable prices”. Merchandise donated will be screened three times - once when it is received, again when it is priced and finally when it is placed on the floor for sale. Everything will be checked for smell and smoke. We will not allow clothing with rips, stains or missing buttons to be sold in this store. Furniture will be accepted and examined for stains, pet hair, ripped or broken pieces. Large appliances will not be accepted – small kitchen appliances are welcomed and tested before being priced. We will also accept jewelry, books, CDS, DVDs, silk and dried flowers, house wares, antiques, linens, shoes, sporting equipment, children’s items and more. All items will be similarly inspected. Donations are accepted Wednesdays-Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Store hours beginning June 1^st will be Monday–Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with Senior Discount day on Tuesday’s. For large item donations call (815) 759-7100 for pick up information. If you would like to volunteer email: Colleen Hale at: chale@pioneercenter.org Mark your calendars for the Grand Opening Celebration scheduled for Friday, July 10^th from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Great Bargains and free gift to the first 200 people!