Philly AIDS Thrift Has GOOD News and BIG News

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

For Immediate Release

Philly AIDS Thrift Has GOOD News and BIG News

Philly AIDS Thrift, the non-profit thrift store benefiting Philly area HIV/AIDS service organizations has GOOD NEWS and BIG NEWS to announce in March 2011. Store Manager Tom Brennan explains, "The good news is that when we presented our monthly $8,000.00 check on stage to the AIDS Fund at Gay Bingo on Saturday night, March 12th, that check put us over $250,000.00 in total cash contributions to date. The big news is our entire store and processing operations are MOVING, we're not moving far and not right away, but this summer everything will be under one roof at our new home two hundred yards around the corner at 710 S.5th St. It's almost too much news for one small month, but there you have it."

Mr. Brennan provides more background and details on the money and the move, "We'll be taking over half the total area (with an option to take over more down the road) of a landmark of Philadelphia retail, the Kroungold's Furniture building. We'll have nearly 12,000 square feet on three floors and two basements, which is a doubling of the combined footage of our current store and warehouse.

"This will translate into a big boost in efficiency and, well, humanity for our processors who presently work in a warehouse space that's freezing in the winter and stifling in the summer. And our customers will see and feel a giant step up in comfort and convenience as we move to a space with room to spare for all the merchandise jamming our original store and warehouse from wall to wall and floor to ceiling. And finally, we wouldn't even undertake the move if we weren't also convinced it will mean a major bump up in charitable contributions over the course of the new lease.

"It's a huge undertaking for us, but in the end the deal was just too tempting to pass up. It will be sad leaving 514 Bainbridge and our landlords, the Hechts, whose understanding of our mission and willingness to take a leap of faith with our fledgling organization were vitally important to us in those early days, when our sole assets consisted of the few racks and shelves of donated items we opened our doors with in the fall of 2005. Five and a half years later we find ourselves topping $250,000.00 in store charitable contributions, and with enough money in the bank to finance this move to our new space.

"We do want to help however we can to keep our block of Bainbridge Street as vibrant as it has become during our time here, so let me send out a heads-up to anyone looking for space in the neighborhood--our original store and warehouse will be up for grabs when we make our move."

Store Volunteer Coordinator Christina Kallas gives a rundown of the more immediate plans,"Our current operations will remain unchanged till June when we will begin breaking in the new store and winding down the old one. By July 1st we'll be completely up and running at 710 S.5th St. How exciting and terrifying it all is. And anyone with an overwhelming urge to help us move a million or so things from one building to another this spring and early summer, you know here to find me, I'll be quietly sobbing in the back office of 514 Bainbridge St.

"But we're going to take a couple of days in the meantime to celebrate our time here on Bainbridge and what we've accomplished in the last five and a half years. So on Friday and Saturday, March 24th and 25th, we're going to say thank you to the shoppers, donors and volunteers who got us where we are with two days of food, refreshments, sales, prizes and surprises.

"Since we've hit a quarter million in cash donations we decided to commemorate that 25% of a million by making everything in the store 25% off on those two days (and if it's already on sale, take a further 25% off.) Maybe not our cleverest gimmick ever but I don't think anyone's going to complain about getting 25% off anything they buy!"

Philly AIDS Thrift opened its main store at 514 Bainbridge St in the fall of 2005. In 2006 it expanded to a warehouse sales and processing space at 527 Bainbridge. To date, Philly AIDS Thrift has donated $256,450.00 to Philly area AIDS service providers. In addition to its cash contributions, it partners with these same service agencies to provide free store vouchers to clients in need of clothing and household necessities.


www.phillyaidsthrift.com



Philly AIDS Thrift
514 Bainbridge St
Phila, Pa 19147
215.922.3186

phillyaidsthrif@aol.com