by Wendy Gansberg
The number and variety of shops at our New Jersey CCRCs is simply amazing. There are convenience stores and gift shops, resale shops, thrift stores and furniture outlets — the list goes on and on. From a simple refrigerator case in the café to elaborate multi-location fundraising endeavors, our volunteers provide a surprisingly large number of choices and support several causes.
A recurring theme is that of new residents bringing too much with them when they move to their new apartments or cottages. Extra items are as varied as the residents themselves. We can be talking about furniture, kitchenware, lamps, picture frames or books. Another opportunity many of our neighbors provide to a family is cleaning out an apartment. There are many reasons and many donated items to some of our shops. Our shops can be a bonanza for college students or the newlywed. Does anyone else remember furnishing in “Early Attic and Basement” style for their first apartment? Many clothing items are purchased by employees to be sent to their families. Holiday decorations, Halloween costumes and special evening wear provide cheer as well as bargains.
Convenience stores provide a service. Again, run by residents, they fulfill a need for the foods commonly requested such as eggs, milk, snacks, as well as greeting cards and such household necessities as batteries and postage stamps. Often, an unplanned additional benefit of these small stores is that of residents seeing each other and having a social moment. Stonebridge calls theirs the Stonebridge Country Store; there is a team of approximately 25 volunteers. Patrons have the additional convenience of either paying cash or having their items charged, appearing on their monthly bill. Atrium at Navesink Harbor has a tiny shop, staffed by volunteers, who do a big business in jewelry and scarves as well as the usual convenience products.
Our reporter from The Pines at Whiting,stresses that her convenience store strives to fill resident requests. She tells us that candy and toilet paper are big sellers along with jewelry and greeting cards. The Evergreens has a mini-grocery selling a variety of breakfast and lunch items, again giving residents the option of charging purchases to their monthly account. House of the Good Shepherd’s Country Store display windows are changed several times a year to reflect the seasons or holidays. The House of the Good Shepherd maintenance and housekeeping staff support the store by providing service to keeping the lights shining and the machines working as well as keeping the area clean.
Some of our friends have large and successful operations which support a surprising number of ancillary stores. Auction houses, consignment shops, antique stores and even eBay benefit from our endeavors. A resident of Medford Leas has had success with selling donated items on eBay. A Franklin Mint Fabergé egg and a Swiss typewriter from the 1960’s are examples.
At Medford Leas, both the Gift Shop and the Thrift Shop consider the needs of the customer as they select inventory and establish prices. Both shops are open to residents, staff and visitors. Volunteers enjoy socializing along with their hard work and always present a friendly face to customers. Profits go to the Employee Appreciation Fund, the Residents Assistance Fund, the Residents Activities Fund, and the Arboretum Fund.
The president of the residents association of Cedar Crest reminds us “these shops are a labor of love” by resident volunteers. She especially credits the shop coordinator for her untiring efforts and those of her crew. The Treasure Shoppe posts a weekly or bi-weekly list of newly arrived items on the in-house TV channel. Dave’s Den. They are lucky to have a dedicated group who accommodate night or weekend pick-up of large items.
Crestwood Manor has their Manor Mart, where a group of resident volunteers use the proceeds of their sales to enhance the quality of life including the needs of the Clinic and Health Care Center, recreational programs and incentive programs for the employees.
The Fellowship Village Gift shop is known as The Store. The volunteer staff that price items, work the register, and stock the shelves truly make a difference to the community.
Several of our neighboring CCRCs are in flux, waiting for changes in workspace. They include Meadow Lakes and Winchester Gardens. Meadow Lakes has been able to keep their furniture department open during the reconstruction of the thrift shop. Their re-openings are anticipated, as their services are greatly missed.
The bonus of all this convenience also provides donation of sales profits to Resident Care Funds, Employee Appreciation and Tuition programs, and RAC treasuries, and to enhance the quality of life for residents. Surprisingly successful, when selling at such bargain prices, donations from sales can range from simply reimbursing supporting departments up to approximately $40,000 in the bigger operations. Certainly shopping in our CCRCs provides many more benefits than just purchasing the ever popular toilet paper, the biggest seller of all.
