St. Therese of the Child Jesus opens thrift store

Intermountain Catholic

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Catalina Sibaja looks for clothes for her children at St. Therese Thrift Shop in Midvale. Profits made by the store go toward the reconstruction of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Church. ?I think this store is cheaper than other thrift stores,? said Sibaja. The prices are maintained low because everything is donated, said Susana Wilson, manager. IC photo by Priscilla Cabral

MIDVALE — Susana Wilson feels happy in a room full of used clothes, toys, purses, bedding, furniture, shoes, and china. Saint Therese Thrift Shop is a dream come true for her.

Wilson has volunteered for St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Midvale for over three years.She started by keeping record of the names of families who would get clothing donations, distributing three changes for each person, and informing them about the rules.

Since then, she had wanted to open a thrift store, but for one reason or another, this did not happen until two months ago.

It was a long and slow process. Wilson started by organizing big yard sales once or twice a year. But when the church building was burned in January 2008, she saw the opportunity to do the sales more frequently.

"The social hall, where we would usually hold the yard sale, was being used. So, I asked Father Martin Diaz (pastor) if we could use the empty, burned building to hold the sale," said Wilson. The building caught fire from an advent crown candle that was left lit throughout the night. Most of the damage was caused by the smoke, so the building was still useful.

The sales were held during the weekend on Saturday mornings and on Sunday from the first to the last Mass. The response was so good, Wilson proposed to Fr. Diaz they open an official thrift store.

Fr. Diaz supported her idea and rented a small space near the church on 7598 South and Main Street in Midvale.

"People are happy about having a Catholic thrift store. We offer very low prices to help with this economic crisis," said Wilson.

The store has around 20 volunteers who work on average four hours a day. Catalina Sibaja is a volunteer and a frequent shopper.

"I think this store is cheaper than other thrift stores. The items are in good condition," she said. "And it is only two streets away from my house."

"People have told me it is like a ‘yard sale’ that is open during the week," said Wilson.

Still, sales are not as high as anticipated. Many of the people who would get out of Mass would visit the store when it was in the church, but once the store changed its location and schedule, sales dwindled.

Wilson has resorted to marketing strategies to attract more buyers.

"There is a special every day," she said. Depending on the day, there are clothes, jewelry, or furniture with a 50 percent discount. Wilson started this type of promotional sales two weeks ago and said she has noticed a difference.

"This catches people’s attention… and there is word of mouth."

A thrift store not only needs sales, but donations as well. Wilson said that until now, she has had good luck with the items that are donated, some even come with a tag. But she continues to motivate people to donate their unwanted items – especially their furniture – reminding them that sales will go toward the reconstruction of the church. Also, those who donate get a donation receipt that can be used to make deductions on their income tax claims. Donations are accepted during business hours from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.