THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 26, 1995 TAG: 9501240094
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
A thrift store seems an unlikely place to find poetry readings, jazz concerts and displays of avant-garde art.
But if all goes as planned, bargain hunters soon may discover a stash of cultural offerings amid the second-hand clothing, discarded appliances and used books found at the Hope House Foundation Thrift Shop on Monticello Avenue.
The store, located in a former bakery near 21st Street, already has established an ``Artists Corner,'' where five local painters, sculptors and fiber artists have begun to display their work. Poetry readings and concerts are in the works.
The cultural offerings are not the only changes happening at the thrift store. Early in January, the store's space was more than doubled to accommodate increased merchandise and more elaborate displays. As part of an major remodeling, exhibits of dolls, old books and other collectibles have been displayed prominently, and an increased inventory of furniture, appliances, glassware and children's toys are in the making. Other ``more subtle'' merchandising changes - like freshly painted walls, scrubbed floors, background music of different cultures and additional browsing room - also have been made.
``We're trying to break out of the standard thrift-store mode and carve out a new niche,'' manager Rob Jay explained. ``So far, people have liked what we've done, which is to create a pleasant place to shop where they can get lots of bargains.''
``We also want to draw people in who normally don't go to thrift stores,'' assistant manager Dean Heffelman added. ``Most people think a thrift store is all junk. If the word leaks out that you can find real art and have fun here, it will draw more people in.
``Once people come in and see what we're doing, maybe they'll come back, again and again, not just for the art and music but for other things.''
The two men conceded that the new concepts and remodeling being tried in the store are last-ditch efforts to save the enterprise from liquidation.
``Some members of the board wanted to close it,'' Heffelman said. ``They felt it just wasn't worth the hassle. Hope House really wasn't making anything off it. The decision was to either close it down or do business differently.''
The store was established about nine years ago to benefit the Hope House Foundation, a private non-profit organization that provides residential support and services for the disabled in Hampton Roads. After five years at a location on Tidewater Drive, the thrift store was moved to 1800 Monticello Ave. in 1991, where a private management service ran it on a commission basis.
Four months ago, Jay and Heffelman were brought in to make changes and try to save the operation. They've used a thrift store in New Mexico as a model for their changes.
``After they pay their staff, they still give $90,000 a year to their organization,'' Heffelman said. ``We decided we could do the same things here.''
In addition to the new cultural offerings and merchandising tactics, the managers also have revamped the collection and sorting process, the shop's policy on clothing donations and other ``behind-the-scenes'' operation procedures.
They say that competition among thrift stores in the area is stiff. But by offering the public something different, Heffelman and Jay maintain the Hope House store can thrive.
``We can't compete with the children's hospital; we can't compete with Salvation Army,'' Heffelman said. ``We've only got one van and a few volunteers to help us sort all this stuff. Eventually, we hope to add some of Hope House's clients on as paid staff.
``Right now, things are starting off slow, but we've got some great ideas that I know will work. I feel sure we can make a go of this place.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MOTOYA NAKAMURA
Dean Heffelman is assistant manager at the expanded and remodeled
Hope House Foundation Thrift Shop.
by CNB