December 2022 at ECA
ECA’s Store Manager, Susan Smith, checks in. Email her at ecathriftshop@gmail.com
2022 has been an excellent year for ECA. Since January, we have gained new volunteers and we are optimistically exploring opening on Fridays and extending Monday/Wednesday hours. The shop was repainted and reorganized to give it a fresh, organized look, and a modern new web site and newsletter were launched. We’ve resumed a donation intake rate close to our pre-COVID levels of productivity. Grants are being awarded this December for the first time in two years. Clearly, we are in a state of growth, innovation, and pride in our shop.
2023 promises to be another thriving year. Our plans include:
Setting up a POS (Point Of Sale) system. A POS system will speed up checkout and provide us with actual data about how each category of inventory sells. This data confirms what our customers buy so we can bring you more of the things you love.
Adding a tap-to-pay feature to our credit card machine and potentially accepting Apple Pay. Many of our younger customers have requested these options. We value having a multi-generational customer base who grow into lifelong ECA supporters.
Experimenting with auction formats to sell the unique, collectible donations we receive. This includes a local auction house, direct auctions in the shop, and co-hosting live auctions with Poshmark
Hosting private evening shopping events with refreshments and special discounts to connect with our community partners and potential customers.
Proactively seeking and partnering with new (to us) small, grassroots nonprofits who advance our mission to address housing, hunger, and mental health on the Eastside.
We are excited to approach the coming years with an open mind and gratitude for our customers and donors.
