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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