|
|
|
| Wed, Dec. 02 - - Mobile - RSS | |
|
|
Thrift shop can't stay open
Disabled American Veterans Thrift Store in Chatham closes because the facility can't make any money for those it serves
Date published: 7/15/2008
BY CATHY DYSON Shoppers were able to find lots of treasures at the Disabled American Veterans Thrift Store in Chatham, but running the store was hardly a bargain. Rent, insurance and taxes were so high, the store couldn't make any money for veterans, said Brian Beagle, general manager of DAV thrift stores in Virginia. It closed last week after two years in business. "The travesty of the whole thing is we've had wonderful support from the community," Beagle said. "But because of the overhead, our purpose is not being met." Faithful customers at the thrift store in the Chatham Square Shopping Center snatched up the last bit of Disney movies and toys, wine glasses and wreaths, shirts and skirts last week. Many weren't happy with the news. "I'm sorry that it's closing," said a white-haired woman who wouldn't give her name because friends tease her for shopping at thrift stores. "It's a real shock-a-roo to me that something this worthwhile is just disappearing." Hilda White of King George shops for the bargains and the cause the store supports. "I like the veterans," she said. "I always like to support the veterans because I had two boys in the service." Customers are "upset, disappointed and sad to see it go," said Marie Stone, a Stafford resident who was a regular customer before she became a part-time worker. "We had one lady who just cried and cried and cried," Stone said. She and Charlotte Herndon, the store manager, greeted customers as they walked through the door of the former CVS building. It wasn't unusual for older residents to come in the morning--then spend a good part of the day, sitting on a sofa and talking with other customers. "I tell them, 'Just come in, relax and talk to us,'" Herndon said. On busy days, the stores averaged about 100 customers and sales of more than $1,200, Herndon said. On June 30, she found out the store was closing in two weeks. Everything that wasn't sold was moved to other DAV thrift stores in Lynchburg or Danville. Beagle said the property owners, P&H Investment of Arlington, had been cooperative and worked with the store to try to keep it open. The DAV facility is the second thrift store in the Chatham area to close in less than a year. The SERVE store in the Earl's Shopping Center closed in October because of rising rent and maintenance problems, said Sandi Nini, SERVE's president. Helen King and her daughter, Danielle, of Stafford shopped in both stores--and will miss the bargains, especially as the economy worsens. "There are so many vacant buildings now, I hate to see another thrift store close," Helen King said. "It's terrible." Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Date published: 7/15/2008
|
 |
|||
|
|||
