Donors and Shoppers Wanted at Impact Thrift

Lansdale Patch: When did you open your business?

Impact Thrift Store: Our first store opened in December 2001 at 14 E. Moreland Ave in Hatboro in the old Samtarian's building. In November 2002, our second store was opened on Main Street in Lansdale which moved to its present location (the old Atlantic Book Warehouse building on Route 309) in August of 2009. In July 2004, we took over a struggling thrift shop in East Norriton. In November 2008, that store moved to its current location on Markley Street in Norristown. Our 4th (and by far largest) store opened a year ago in April 2012 in Feasterville, Bucks County.

LP: Who is your ideal client or customer?

ITS: At Impact Thrift Stores, we are looking for two different types of clients—donors and shoppers. Without generous merchandise donors we have nothing in our stores to sell ... and without fabulous shoppers, we can't stay in the business of supporting locally based charities! So we're looking for folks who are redecorating, downsizing, moving, making changes in their living space, folks who have clothing that no longer fits for whatever reason, folks who have extra stuff that they don't want or need anymore. We're looking for folks who repurpose, up-cycle, love to shop for bargains, need to shop for bargains, shop to support charity or just enjoy the challenge of shopping thrift.

LP: What makes your business unique from others in your field?

ITS: Actually Impact Thrift Stores in quite unique as our mission is to support multiple charities rather than just one church or charity. This is a very unusual business model for this type of business. All of the charities that we support focus on the needs of families and children in crisis and all are locally-based and all but 2 focus on the needs of folks in the Delaware Valley. Some of the charities are faith-based, others are not. The complete list and links to their websites can be found at www.impactthrift.org/about/our-charities. We financially support 16 of these charities on a monthly basis. The funds we provide help to free up the charities to concentrate more fully on their individual missions. The funds that we provide are unrestricted - meaning they can be used for the mission of the charity, or to pay staff, rent or utilities in order to keep the charity in the business of supporting it's constituency. We also work "cooperatively" with other regional charities, providing goods and services "in kind."

LP: What made you decide to open a business?

ITS: Impact Thrift Stores is the brainchild of Paul Baur, who is currently our CEO. Paul attended a meeting with his brother in 2001 as a second set of ears as his brother was exploring the possibility of opening a thrift shop in support of the charity that employed him. Paul came away from that meeting thinking ... if a thrift shop could support one charity, why couldn't it support multiple charities ... and Impact Thrift Stores was created! 

LP: What’s your most popular item?

ITS: Our stores carry a wide variety of items—all donations—such as clothing, furniture, housewares, appliances, books, sporting goods, jewelry and more. It would be difficult to be specific about one particular item as the most popular.

LP: What makes your community special?

ITS: Impact Thrift Stores is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit retail business that has grown measurably since its inception in 2001. We are a company that employs more than 210 people in the region while offering an opportunity for volunteers and community service. We support the community by offering an opportunity to *recycle* goods that no longer fit their lifestyle as well as purchase fabulous items at greatly discounted prices. We have educational programs in place that are incorporated into the public and private schools from 4th grade to college level focusing on volunteerism, recycling and business. We have also instituted an extensive recycling program which includes electronics, metals, soft goods, books and more. Impact Thrift Stores is a faith-based business which welcomes and supports people of all faiths and perspectives.

LP: Where can customers find your specials?

ITS: Our specials can be found on our website... www.impactthrift.org/specials. Every Wednesday, we offer 25 percent off storewide to Seniors aged 60 and older. Every day we offer an additional 10 percent to veterans and active duty military personnel and their families (with proper ID). We also have periodic specials. Department special sales and prices are dictated by quantity of donated items.

LP: What are your hours, website, Facebook page, etc.?

ITS: Our Montgomeryville, Norristown and Hatboro stores are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Feasterville is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays.  All four stores are closed on Sunday.