FM Leadership Contributes Talents to Repeat Boutique
February 12th, 2010 by Member ContributorNew thrift store benefits mission of Red River Human Services Foundation
Repeat Boutique is a new thrift store in Fargo that furthers the mission of Red River Human Services Foundation by having people with developmental disabilities work and volunteer at the store.
By: Tracy Frank, INFORUM
Volunteers Jan Jorgensen and James Roe sort through donated clothing at the Repeat Boutique in south Fargo. Carrie Snyder / The Forum Repeat Boutique is a new thrift store in Fargo that furthers the mission of Red River Human Services Foundation by having people with developmental disabilities work and volunteer at the store.
“The premise of this store is to give the individuals we serve a place to interact with the community more,” said Julie Thorson, the store’s general manager. “They can enhance their skills in the retail environment and also in a social setting.”
James Roe of West Fargo receives services from the foundation and recently started volunteering at the store. He helps unload boxes whenever he can.
“I like it. It’s fun. Good people to work with,” Roe said. “I’m doing a good deed to help out.”
Repeat Boutique opened Dec. 21 at 2551 45th St. S. in Fargo.
Tom Newberger, Red River Human Services Foundation CEO, said the shop takes donations of pretty much everything except construction items.
The clothes are cleaned before they are sold. Repeat Boutique uses a steam dryer to remove wrinkles and odors.
Thorson said the shop needs more furniture and household items like dishes, wall hangings, knickknacks, small appliances and bedding.
“Those seem to be the items that turn the fastest,” she said.
The store has five employees and about six to eight volunteers a week. Not all of the store’s volunteers have developmental disabilities or rely on Red River Human Services.
Thorson said the store could use more volunteers.
“For this size of a store, we have 11,000 square feet, it takes a lot of physical manpower to move and prepare the merchandise,” she said.
Jan Jorgensen of Fargo volunteers at the store twice a week.
“It’s got such a great purpose,” she said. “I’m just happy to come here and work because of its mission to help Red River Human Services.”
Profits from Repeat Boutique help fund the Red River Human Services Foundation.
“Our primary mission is supporting people in the community,” Newberger said. “We have a lot of people who need a lot of help and support.”
Repeat Boutique is receiving help and advice from participants in the Chamber of Commerce of Fargo Moorhead Leadership Program. Participants work with a nonprofit organization to help out in areas like marketing, sales, and technical expertise.
“It’s really great because they get the talent and skills of the individuals they’re working with,” Ashley Kiefert, leadership development coordination.
Business profile
Repeat Boutique
Location: 2551 45th St. S., Suite 147, Fargo
Ownership: Red River Human Services Foundation
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Contact: (701) 364-3888
Online: www.rrhsf.org and www.repeatboutiquefargo.com
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Readers can reach Forum reporter Tracy Frank at (701) 241-5526
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