Please take a brief moment, to reflect and think about…
As more and more small local businesses close permanently, what will Boulder be like in 2021?
We will be asking this question to our customers in the final weeks of 2020, and sharing your responses with our followers in your own words. We are certain, however, the people whom we serve from SPAN, Harvest of Hope Pantry, Mental Health Partners, and other agencies throughout our Boulder community would be harmed without ARES Thrift Store remaining in its existing capacity.
We know from talking with you that 2020 has been uniquely challenging for many- parents, students, medical professionals, teachers, essential workers, those who became sick or are jobless etc… Like so many, those of us in small businesses and charitable health and human service work, are reaching deep for new ideas, practices, and possible solutions to the looming financial woes this upcoming winter is set to unleash on us.
If you are someone concerned about community assistance, diverting an average of 800,000 pounds every year from landfills, or straight-up enjoy finding affordable but amazing thrift finds, how can you help?
Here are FOUR ways-
1. SHOP WITH US: We love our loyal customer supporters, and want to reward you when you make the pandemic trek to shop with us. We are giving away Visa Gift Card Holiday Shopping Sprees! Earn raffle tickets during our three most exciting days in November:
- Opt to thrift Black Friday 11/27, shop with us 12-5pm before holiday shopping at big-box or online retailers and get at least 25% OFF All items (with an option to receive 50% OFF, see cashier for details).
- Small Business Saturday is 11/28, a day for visiting your local Boulder independent businesses, including ARES and earn more raffle tickets for a holiday spree (and still get 25-50% off).
- Our favorite holiday, Secondhand Sunday is 11/29 and We’ll Be Open! We celebrate Reducing, Reusing, Recycling, and contemplate letting go of things that no longer serve us to bring joy to others (before holidays bring new gifts), with storewide savings of 25-50% OFF again!
- This is your last day to enter our raffle with easy ways to get tickets (see below), winners announced via email by midnight.
2. FOLLOW US: You are already part of our email list, thank you! For other ways to keep in touch, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram (and our @thrift.in.motion IG page to shop with us on Cyber Monday) for exclusive updates and even more ways to save and contribute to keep ARES going strong into 2021. And please consider sharing this email or our posts with your friends to expand our support network (even outside of Boulder helps)!
3. DONATE ITEMS WITH US: There are so many reasons to declutter, but most of all, it is the backbone of our giving program: those in need locally, obtain vouchers from partnering agencies to shop with us for free. With colder, snowier weather setting in, we are in need of items to meet immediate and urgent needs: Socks, blankets, coats, hats, gloves, boots and tents are some of the most needed by our clients this time of year. Donate whatever you are able to give, as proceeds fund our charitable efforts and operational expenses. We take items in re-sellable condition whenever we are open (Thur-Sat 12-5pm) around back at our Donation Center (please ring doorbell).
And many new and in-box items make great holiday gifts for those having a hard time making ends meet right now, to provide a joyous holiday for their families during this crazy year.
4. GIVE IF YOU ARE ABLE: If you’re able to financially support our relief efforts to maintain our ability to offer thrifty goods and services to people in the local community, and offset our lack of revenue for three months of store closure and several months of vastly reduced business hours, you can find our current fundraiser here: GoFundMe and thank you so much! In the winter months we will also be collecting change in donation boxes near the register for other charities we care about, and invite you to donate in person when you shop with us.
ARES cares about Public Health – Safer at Home Level Red
We are continuing and expanding our cleaning and sanitization procedures, and following county and state health orders we are reducing our store occupancy. Thank you for your continued cooperation, wearing nose and mouth coverings inside, and as always, help yourself to our hand sanitizer on your way in and out!
We definitely understand that folks are hesitant these days to come out and shop in the manner they did prior to this year, however if there is something we could do to allow you to get in and out more quickly, or pay by phone and run an item outside for you to pick up curbside, just give a call during any of our open hours and we’ll do our best to accommodate if it’s a request that’s possible.
We are looking to be here in and for the community for many years serving up a unique and fun experience for you. But we rely solely on your health and community support to do so, so please stay well and continue mindfully showing up for us mom-and-pop shops that you care about in town, in whichever way fits best for you.
Thank you from myself and our small but mighty team,
– Jennifer Greany
Owner/ Manager