UPTOWN — A group of Cornerstone Community Outreach workers recently opened a resale shop across from the homeless shelter to help "fill a gap" in funding due to statewide budget cuts.
The Rummage Room, 4626 N. Clifton Ave., opened near the shelter a little more than a month ago. Inside the colorful former daycare, there are racks of used clothing, including everything from vintage T-shirts to prom dresses, toys and furniture — all handpicked from piles of donations by Cornerstone staffers, like volunteer coordinator Sarah Wright.
The inside of The Rummage Room, full of used clothes, shoes, accessories and toys. [All photos by DNAinfo/Mina Bloom]
Wright said she and other Cornerstone workers had to "get creative" when faced with statewide budget cuts.
"There's a gap between money we get from the state and donations. There are some weeks where we're not sure where the money is going to come from," she said. "With budget cuts, we've had to find our own way to create revenue."
All proceeds go toward Cornerstone, which was founded in 1989 and serves nearly 500 men, women and children daily, according to its website.
Since the shop is housed inside a Cornerstone building, it didn't cost much to open, according to Cornerstone staffer, Sawyer Cade.
It was a natural progression from the free sales Cornerstone hosts on Fridays, which are for the community's "truly needy," Cade said.
Used shoes starting at $2 at The Rummage Room.
"What's unique about this shop is we can handpick from thousands of pieces," said Cade, who worked in retail for 20 years. "It's not a typical thrift store."
On Tuesday, some of the highlights were a 1920s art deco dresser, a vintage Star Wars T-shirt and Jessica Simpson shoes. Wright said she once found a Valentino bag when digging through donations. Many of the items cost less than $10, but some designer pieces might go for a little more, Wright said.
Someone was trying to get rid of the 1920s art deco dresser, but Cade rescued it to sell it in the shop.
Cade, who called himself a "major thrift store fanatic," said he thinks the resale shop fills a need in the neighborhood. He hopes to attract Truman College students, especially considering the shop is around the corner from the college.
If shoppers don't find anything they like, they are encouraged to donate anyway — even a seemingly small amount of money goes a long way toward helping the community's needy.
For instance, a pair of $3 shoes could pay for three people to get emergency overnight services at the shelter, Wright said.
The Rummage Room accepts debit and credit cards. It's currently open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
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