Thrift shop's lifetime cut short

A thrift store on Plumas Street is closing, cutting off both a supply of inexpensive clothing and a revenue source for a nonprofit.

La Vita, a fundraiser for A Woman's Friend, is closing Feb. 22 because of slow business.

“I'll get what I get before they close, but I'm really sad to see them go,” said Lori Keller, 40, of Robbins.

Keller, a frequent store customer and volunteer for A Woman's Friend, said her kids have clothes because of La Vita.

The 1,800-square-foot store opened in June 2005 to benefit A Woman's Friend, a Marysville nonprofit that promotes alternatives to abortion. A board member, Sheldon Hadley, could not be reached for comment Wednesday regarding the store's closure and how it would affect the organization's finances.

Sales levels started slow but kept climbing during its nearly two-year run; however, the increase was not enough to keep it in business, said store manager Jim Nunes.

“We gave it a run, we gave it a go, and it just didn't work out,” said Nunes. “So the board voted to close it.”

About 10 people worked at the store, including five volunteers.

The store's space in the middle of Plumas Street is expected to be reoccupied by a gift shop.

Though the store did not work out, Nunes was appreciative of the customers and the donations that people made.

“We've had some really faithful people as customers, and they will miss us, and I will miss them,” said Nunes.

Prices are being marked down as much as 75 percent to clear out stock before the store closes. There is plenty to get rid of - merchandise was being moved out of storage last week, to be stocked in the store.

Appeal-Democrat reporter John Dickey can be reached at 749-4711. You may e-mail him at jdickey@appeal-democrat.com.