As tentacles of the Great Recession reach into nearly every
aspect of a community, the Goodwill store is an indicator of how
economic downturns have psychological effects.
“I think there’s been a change in mindset the economy has
created,” said Laura Marth, assistant director of public relations
for Goodwill Industries of Colorado Springs.
“We’ve noticed that it’s not just people who feel like they have
to shop at Goodwill but people who save their hard-earned money and
want their dollars to go further.”
Parents, for instance, are becoming Goodwill shoppers, for
school clothes, athletic uniforms and equipment.
“We have brand new products in here, some with the tags on
them,” said the store’s manager Michelle Rozell. “I think parents
are realizing they can clothe their children for less, compared to
going to a regular store.”
The store is a revolving door of retail, with donations in and
purchases out.
“It’s all about the generosity of a community,” Marth said.
“Donations are the lifeblood of Goodwill. If people aren’t donating
then we don’t have anything to put on the shelves.”
In a time when many people have closed their wallets, scoring a
bargain at Goodwill can be an emotional lift.
Rozell likes to tell the story of the McCoy pottery cookie jar.
For people who recognize the value of McCoy, a Goodwill customer is
probably still grinning over paying $150 for a piece valued at
$350.
Like Marth, Rozell sees the change in shopping habits. “We still
have the customer base but they’re not buying as much, being more
particular about their spending, looking for the value,” she
said.
While the recession is not as obvious at Divide Mercantile, the
nature of the business is attractive during a downturn.
The shop specializes in furniture and antiques, most of it
bought in estate sales and auctions or taken on consignment.
“Over the last month things have picked up,” said the store’s
manager Darren Thornberry. “It could be the weather, people getting
their tax refunds. There’s just been a little bit of a change I see
in spending habits.”
The consignment aspect of the store, at times, reflects the hard
times in Teller County. “A lady came in who wanted to sell some
trinkets; she was in tears,” he said. “They didn’t fit in the store
so there was nothing I could do. It was heartbreaking.”
In addition to furniture and antiques, the mercantile , opened
by PK Enterprises in December, offers gallery opportunities for
local artists and musicians.
Thornberry talks about the store at 10 a.m. on Teller Life April
8 at Tellernetcast.com.