VENTURA RESCUE MISSION THRIFT STORE, CA

The Ventura County Rescue Mission currently operates 2 Super Thrift Stores, both in previously vacant commercial buildings. We were called in to design a new facade and update the building’s exterior to make in more community friendly.

Our first job was to make the front doors easy to find on a large commercial building with no style. The current front door was so hard to find, the Rescue Mission had painted a huge sign on the side of the building to let folks know where the door was located.

There is no government funding. Everything comes from Ventura County donors and Thrift Store proceeds. The thrift store provide job training and offer low-cost goods to the community. 100% of the net proceeds feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and help people become productive citizens again.

Solicitation of unwanted goods from the community has met with great participation and enthusiasm. The program is recognized by the City as part of their recycling drive.

We usually recommend adding a Thrift Store to any Rescue Ministry expansion or remodel plan. In general, 10,000 square feet of display space can generate $650,000 net income to fund programs. It makes sense on so many levels.

Thrift Stores not only generate much needed revenue, they also provide important job training, increase community involvement and provide necessary goods at reasonable cost. We can point Rescue Ministries to sources for the planning and funding of new Thrift Stores or expansion of existing ones.

Local governments like Thrift Stores because they turn unwanted clothing, furniture, household items, even used vehicles, into sellable goods.

Thrift stores help cities meet their recycling goals while keeping their dumps from filling up with piles of unwanted stuff. This goes a long way towards getting the community behind a Rescue Mission renovation project.