Thrift store spruces up appearance

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The sun whispers through the windows. A line of clothes carries the eye from one end of the store to the other. Books, dishes and knick-knacks are neatly arranged on shelves with cardboard signs hanging from nearby walls indicating which section it is.

One man inspects a VCR in the store's "Furniture Alley" area. As others mill about, a cashier greets a visitor.

The scene is a reflection of the ongoing change at the Travis Thrift Shop. A number of revisions in recent months are aimed at sprucing up the look and attitude of the store to draw new shoppers.

"[We are making] a lot of aesthetic changes as far as re-organizing the sales floor, making sure that it looks good for the customers to come where it's a pleasant, nice atmosphere," said Mark McIntire, Thrift Shop manager. "[We are trying for] kind of like a homey atmosphere for them."

Some of the changes include grouping items differently on the sales floor, changing the donation space and offering complimentary coffee or water to customers.

In keeping with invigorating the shop's image, a grand re-opening sale is scheduled for Oct. 6.

Mr. McIntire said it's the first time the Thrift Shop's doors will be open on a Saturday.
Sandra "Sam" Hanson, a cashier, said she's received a lot of positive feedback about the new look.

"We get customers in all the time that talk about how nice things are," Mrs. Hanson said.
Wanda Giguere, who has been with the store for 15 years and was temporarily in charge of consignment items said she thinks Mr. McIntire's changes have been largely for the better.

"I think Mark's really trying to do some new things to generate an interest," Ms. Giguere said.

One attempt to generate interest is a possible sale of ball gowns and ball dresses. Mr. McIntire said the shop plans to sell them during a special event at a flat rate.

Such a sale, as all merchandise at the location, is based on what is given. All of the Thrift Shop's products come via donations or are consignment items.

"The more they can bring us, the better we are because that's more that we can offer for sale and, in turn, generate more money," Mr. McIntire said. "But it's not just a place to generate money. It's a family, hometown kind of store you can come in, browse and get to know not only the other staff members, but the other customers and really feel at home and welcome."

Mrs. Hanson said her relationship with her co-workers and the customers feels like a family.

"You get to know the people that come in and I think they just feel at home here," she said. "People tell me a lot of stories and things. I think most people are satisfied when they come in."

[We are] just making sure that the customer is happy whenever they come in and leave. I think that's the important part," Mr. McIntire said.

Thrift Shop proceeds are divided between the Officers and Enlisted Spouses clubs, which distribute the money for scholarships as well as other events, activities and organizations such as the Air Force Sergeants Association, annual awards banquets, annual volunteer recognition, chiefs' induction ceremony, Red Cross and Fisher House.

The shop's business hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. 

Consignment items are available from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

For more information, call 437-2370.