Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Economy drives library to set up new shop

Gold Mine thrift store will remain open


By BRENNAN REGO
Express Staff Writer

Craig Barry, manager of the Community Library’s thrift store in Ketchum, stands with Dianne Perryclear in front of the Ketchum building where the library plans to open a new consignment store. Perryclear will be the manager of the store. Photo by Willy Cook

To compete with several consignment stores that have sprung up in the area during the recent economic downturn, the Community Library in Ketchum plans to open its own consignment store on March 21, the first day of spring.

The library currently operates the Gold Mine thrift store in Ketchum, but Manager Craig Barry said Friday that competition from numerous new consignment stores in the city has resulted in fewer and lower-quality donations to the Gold Mine over the past four years or so. The Gold Mine is a major source of income to support the public library.

“It’s more typical for people to consign their high-end items than donate them now,” Barry said. “We’ve gotten feedback from donors that they’re consigning more of their stuff.”

Barry said consignment stores usually kick back about half of an item’s sale price to the consignor. He said he doesn’t blame people for seeking that return instead of donating their items to the Gold Mine, especially given the current economic climate. However, he also said the library depends on revenue from the Gold Mine and that something must be done to bring in more money.

“We’re just acknowledging that we have a lot of patrons who have a lot of nice stuff they’d like to donate, but they’d like to get something back,” he said.

Barry said the new store will likely be called the Gold Mine Consignment Boutique and will be located on the corner of Walnut Avenue and Fourth Street, across from the rear entrance to the library. Barry said he will oversee both stores, but has hired personal stylist Dianne Perryclear to manage day-to-day operations at the new boutique.

According to Barry, the library has been considering the idea of opening a consignment store for about three years, but was not ready to act on it until now. He said the boutique is already accepting consignments, and people interested in consigning items should call the Gold Mine at 726-3465.

“We’re looking primarily for furnishings and men’s and women’s clothing,” he said.


Brennan Rego: brego@mtexpress.com




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