Gunfighter Thrift Store; selling quality items for less than half the clams

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  The thrift store, once thought of as a dusty place where people skulked for bargains, is gradually becoming the place for base personnel to get fantastic deals - much to the delight of patrons and proprietors alike.
 
"The purpose of the thrift store is to help support Gunfighters and their families," said Joni Hunter, thrift store manager. "However, we are open to retirees and Department of Defense civilians and are staffed by the Mountain Home Air Force Base Officer Spouses Club."

Being run by the MHAFB OSC means the profits from the thrift store go straight back to Gunfighters.

"It's a wonderful opportunity we have to provide this service to our Gunfighter community," said Emily Falanga, thrift store manager. "We have such a variety of items at such low prices."
The items sold include clothes, electronics, weight-lifting equipment, tools, rugs, furniture, books, jewelry, blankets, dishes, appliances, baby items, holiday decorations and costumes.

"Many times we have brand new clothes, appliances or equipment donated that has never been worn or used," said Hunter. "We earned approximately $25,000 last year, with all of the profits going right back into the community."

According to the Association of Resale Professionals the thrift store industry throughout the United States is thriving during the slow economy, growing by 5 percent in 2011.

"One of our most popular sales is the brown bag sale where we stuff as much as possible into brown paper bags for a low cost," said Angie Jarreau, president of the OSC. "Unfortunately, there are some specific items we cannot sell."

Due to safety regulations the thrift store cannot sell car seats, cribs, mattresses, tires, male and female undergarments, adult pajamas, gas cans with gas in them or any gas powered machines such as weed eaters or mowers.

"We have a banner above the drop-off bin that lists what items we cannot accept to help out people who donate after-hours," said Falanga. "We understand they are trying to do the right thing and help out, but unfortunately we end up getting rid of most of those items.

"On the other hand, we always have an amazing variety of useable items coming in," she continued. "It really depends on what has been donated and consigned. Therefore, every time a customer comes in there are new items."

The thrift store occasionally opens its doors to Gunfighters who have suffered a tragedy or loss.

"We had an instance where a family lost everything due to a fire and we opened the doors to them and let them pick out whatever they needed free of charge," said Hunter. "The thrift store profits go back into the base and local community through many other ways including scholarships for dependents, local community charities, and even Airmen Against Drunk Driving and the base chapel receive donations from thrift store profits."

Hunter stressed donations are tax deductable. Consigning is a terrific way for people to bring in their items, and the volunteers will do all the work of getting them sold.

"Many of our volunteers come from the Republic of Singapore's 428th Fighter Squadron, and their assistance is much appreciated," she continued. "We couldn't run this place without them."

The thrift store's hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday. Airmen and their families can get a first look at new items from 9-10 a.m. Consignments hours are 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays.

For more information about donations or consignments, contact the thrift store at (208) 828-2534.