the Mission has begun using a company called SMCo Thrift to manage the store's operation. I have researched how shoppers in other locations that SMCo Thrift manages feel about their thrift stores. This thread on Reddit pretty much sums up what I see at our local City Mission stores. https://www.reddit.com/r/Knoxville/comments/18tuh1c/why_does_karm_suck_so_bad_now/
I enjoy thrift shopping and finding items to support other local charities and reduce waste. While shopping recently, I have seen significant price increases at the City Mission that honestly are ludicrous. Prices that are exceeding those of our local Goodwill stores. Yesterday, I visited our local store in North Strabane and overheard a conversation between the SMCo Thrift "Consultant" and the Store Manager. The consultant was advising the manager on how to price items. I was appalled by what I was hearing. Price a used "Starbucks" coffee cup for $10! Don't put out clothes from Walmart, even if they are new with the tags; just put those in the "baler." This means that these clothes are going to recycling. These items never get put out for members of our local community who need to purchase lower-priced items. These items are not given to the women and children seeking assistance from the City Mission. Why does this concern me...
The City Mission's most recent 990 Non-Profit Tax Form indicates a total revenue of $13,810,534 and total expenses of $9,697,926. Thus, a net gain for the year of $4,112,608. According to the City Mission's 990, part of their Mission is "to provide vocational training center and city mission thrift stores: provide practical work opportunities for their program participants including but not limited to truck operations, which include picking up donations and interacting with staff, residents and donors, inventory sorting, forklift and baler operation, store replacement, and retail selling. In addition to its recycling operation, the Mission operates seven hidden treasure retail thrift stores, located in southwestern Pennsylvania and Morgantown, WV. These stores provide furniture, small durable goods and collectibles, plus a broad range of clothing, toys, electronics and household items to those who are in need of quality lower priced items. the items are processed, sorted, priced arranged and displayed for retail sale which provides an opportunity for work experience for program participants and revenue to fund mission operations. donated property pickup service is provided and a portion of the donations may be used in mission operations."
Two key issues here are that these stores are supposed to provide access to lower-priced items to members of our community, but instead, their focus is now on pulling out items and pricing them high. I am greatly appalled at the price of used furniture, which is usually bought by people who are struggling financially. Second, they are to provide vocational training and help unemployed people build job skills so that they can go on and get better employment. This should not mean that the stores need to generate an even greater profit than they already are. In my opinion, though others might not agree with me, if the stores break even after paying overhead and salaries while providing access to low-cost items to our community, providing job training, and keeping items from being put in landfills, then they would be meeting their mission with any extra profit being used to help fund other areas of the Mission's works. But it appears that the City Mission has lost its way. They have decided that it is no longer part of their mission to provide our community members access to low-cost household items and clothing. read more
