The Economics of Thrift
Pink Shutter offers value while supporting local programs

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[February 17, 2018]   

LINCOLN

As LDN continues its series, the Economics of Thrift, the business to be highlighted is the Pink Shutter. If awards were to be given out for local thrift businesses, the first award going to Pink Shutter would be for longevity. This coming fall Pink Shutter will celebrate 57 years of doing business in Lincoln, all under the same ownership, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

The business opened its doors on November 22, 1961. The store is currently located at 114 N. McLean Street just north of Lincoln City Hall. The business has had a few moves over the years including the last move from 129 South Sangamon St. in December of 2000, where it currently enjoys a tremendous amount of foot traffic.

The store is open Monday through Saturday with the hours being 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The store is big on clothing, but don’t be fooled, there are plenty of treasures to be found inside.

While Pink Shutter offers a gigantic selection of clothing for men, women, and kids, you will also find items such as shoes, purses, housewares, linens, collectibles, games, holiday decorations, small kitchen appliances, dishes, glassware, silverware, and much more.

Shop the entire store, but don’t forget to take a peek at some of the very special things that are on display near the checkout. There you will find items that fall into that collectible category, and while those pieces may carry a slightly larger price tag, as most collectors will tell you they are still a bargain.


Store manager Jennifer Heidbreder shows a shopper an item from the collectibles shelf.

For shoppers, also be sure to check out the dollar deals in the store. When you enter, look for the sign just inside the front door that tells you that on this particular visit you may be able to purchase items from a particular category, such as blue jeans or women’s tops for just $1. The store also from time to time offers a buck-a-bag deal that will last for several days at a time. Both the dollar-a-piece and the buck-a-bag deals are great for families, especially when they have growing children.

At Buck-A-Bag you go in and receive a regular size grocery bag, which will cost you $1. Or you may choose to buy a large trash bag for about $2.  (Hint hint - the next buck a bag sale is February 24th through March 1st)  Regardless of the bag you choose, once you have that bag in your hand, you may fill it with anything and everything you find, for only a buck!

The Pink Shutter gets its merchandise from donations from local folks. Anyone who wishes to donate to the Pink Shutter is welcomed. Items can include anything from clothing and shoes to the home décor that you no longer want or need. There are a few things the Shutter does not take, specifically they do not take televisions, DVD players, or computers.

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If dropping off donations during regular business hours is not possible, the Shutter offers a drop box on the back side of their building. They do ask that you place items inside the box, and do not set things on the ground around the box. The collection box is metal and protects donations from the weather elements.

The store is managed by Jennifer Heidbreder. She is the only full-time employee at the business. There are three part-time “per diem” employees and a host of volunteers who work daily to keep the store well-stocked and clean, and will also assist customers as they shop and at the checkout.

The profits from the store go to the ALMH Auxiliary. If one spends any time at the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, then there is no doubt that you have seen and even interacted with members of the auxiliary. They are very visible at the hospital, assisting guests in finding their way to a specific part of the hospital, helping with wheelchair transportation, delivering flowers, working in the hospital gift shop, and much more.

The Auxiliary members also do things for the hospital that are not quite so visible. For example, dollars raised through the Pink Shutter go toward purchasing items for the hospital, such as blanket warmers. It may sound like a small thing, but the warmers are specially made for the blankets, and are costly. For patients in the hospital, sometimes illness and fear make them uncomfortable, and a warm blanket can be very comforting.

When asked what makes Pink shutter unique to the community, Heidbreder responded, “The people in the community are able to come in and shop at the Pink Shutter and find affordable good quality clothing at a reasonable price. You never know what you might find at the Pink Shutter because of the donations that we receive, many unique and unusual items come in. Many collectors come in and shop here because you never know what is here.”

And asked what she is most proud of about the business she works for she replied, “The fact that we have been around for over 50 years and has been supported by the community. We are owned and operated by Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and have been able to help fund various projects for the Auxiliary. The money raised here stays here in the community. Also that we have helped many people in that they are able to purchase good quality clothing at a reasonable price that they might otherwise not be able to afford.”

That final statement pretty well sums it up. Pink Shutter is locally owned and operated, it fills a need in the community and it helps fund special purchases and other programs at our local hospital. The store is clean and bright, and the staff and volunteers are friendly and helpful. In all, it is a great shopping experience, where one can go in, browse, buy, and walk out with dollars left in the billfold to move on to the next shop or store.

If you’ve never been, now is a good time to check it out. If you shop there regularly, the Auxiliary at ALMH and the staff at Pink Shutter, thank you, and encourage you to come back often!

Next week, LDN will offer a look at another popular thrift in our community – Goodwill. Look for that story to run on Friday, February 23rd.

[Nila Smith]

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