Making the Dollar: Warrenton Community Thift Store

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, August 24, 2005

The thrift store is open seven days a week. Monday through Friday hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m,, Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stuffed animals, furniture, clothing, books, kitchen utensils, old and new music; the list of items for the thrifty shopper is far to long to list completely.

How did you get started in this business?

By accident. I had a garden center and a friend was selling the thrift store. I ran both businesses at first, but the thrift store now takes all my time.

How long has the community thrift store been in Warrenton?

I started seven years ago this July.

What would you like readers to know about your business?

We do pick-ups and deliveries. We have a different sale for every day of the week. Monday is senior day, Wednesday is $5 bag day, Thursday is toy day and we have book Sunday. We run color tag sales all seven days. We also have the lowest prices of any thrift store in the area. Most clothing is only $1, children’s clothing 50 cents, and children’s books are only 10 cents. We sell everything including the kitchen sink. I have two of them for sale now.

What can you tell us about your volume?

We do a lot more business in the summer when a lot of tourists come in from KOA and Fort Stevens, but we really rely on locals all year, especially in the winter. It takes a lot of orders to make the rent.

Has anything about this business surprised you?

There have been many surprising days. Some of my donations are very surprising. I might get a real treasure, but sometimes people think this is a place to drop actual garbage.

What do you enjoy most about your business?

I really feel we are doing a service to the community of Warrenton. We help lots of people.

Where do you get your merchandise?

We take donations seven days a week before 5 p.m., but please, not when we are not here.

– Bob Duke